Open consultation

Rules for GCSE qualifications in British Sign Language

From:
Ofqual
Published
30 April 2025

Applies to England

Summary

A consultation on the subject level conditions, requirements and guidance for GCSEs in British Sign Language (BSL).

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

To see this information in British Sign Language (BSL) format, please watch our series of videos.

Ofqual is consulting on the detailed rules that an exam board would need to follow when designing a GCSE qualification in BSL. This consultation explains and seeks views on a range of requirements that cover:

  • the language and accessibility of the assessments
  • vocabulary and grammar
  • prohibiting access to dictionaries
  • the use of stimulus materials
  • the assessment objectives (wording and guidance)
  • forms of non-exam assessment (the structure, composition and conduct of the non-exam assessments)

It also seeks views on the specific wording of the draft subject level conditions, requirements and guidance.

This is Ofqual’s second consultation on arrangements for the assessment of GCSEs in BSL. Interested parties might wish to view the previous consultation, as well as the Department for Education (DfE) consultation and published subject content, to put these proposals in context. These can be viewed here:

Documents

Consultation: Rules for GCSE qualifications in British Sign Language

Ref: Ofqual/25/7222/1

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Draft GCSE BSL subject level conditions and requirements

Ref: Ofqual/25/7222/2

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Draft GCSE BSL subject level guidance

Ref: Ofqual/25/7222/3

HTML

Updates to this page

Published 30 April 2025

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