The family of a Deaf boy are celebrating after the Government backed down on its decision to delay the introduction of a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL).
Daniel Jillings (12) and his family launched a legal campaign after the Department for Education said that no new GCSEs would be introduced during this Parliament.
However, following a submission from the family’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell, the Government has now reversed that decision and said it will consider making ‘an exception’ to its rule and look into introducing a BSL GCSE during this Parliament.
Partner and public law expert at Irwin Mitchell, Alex Rook, who represents the family said: “Daniel’s family has always maintained that Deaf children such as Daniel should be able to achieve a GCSE in BSL – his first language.
It is only right that any qualifi cation should meet rigorous testing criteria set by the Department for Education. However, this announcement is a major turning point and hopefully paves the
way so children such as Daniel have access to the education they deserve.”
Daniel has been campaigning so he would be able to sit an exam in BSL when he takes his GCSEs in a few years’ time.
