launched its second consultation<\/a> on the new exam, which it said marked \u201csignificant progress toward a fresh qualification that has the potential to connect communities\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut the watchdog said the outcome of the consultation \u2013 a standard part of developing a new qualification \u2013 will only be published in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If could not clarify when the qualification will be rolled out, saying the timeline depended on exam boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After reviewing the current consultation, Ofqual expects to confirm its decision on the qualification rules this autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interested boards can then develop their offers, which must go through Ofqual\u2019s accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Disheartening and disappointing’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n None of the boards would provide details on a potential timeline, with AQA saying it depended on “various factors\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But one insider said it was likely the earliest it could be taught was September 2028, with the first exams in 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simon Want, the head of policy and influencing at the National Deaf Children\u2019s Society, said deaf youngsters has been campaigning for the qualification for years. \u201cThe continued delays and missed deadlines are incredibly disheartening and disappointing. Deaf children and their classmates deserve better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledged it was important that the course was robust and credible, and that it met pupils\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he said: \u201cEvery year that goes by is a missed opportunity for a generation of children eager to learn BSL.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The British Deaf Association also welcomed the consultation as \u201ca step in the right direction\u201d, but was concerned about the long delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Highest quality’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The government relaxed its position on the creation of a BSL GCSE in 2018, following threats of a legal challenge by the family of 12-year-old deaf pupil Daniel Jillings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019, Nick Gibb, the then-education secretary, confirmed the DfE was working to develop draft subject content for the GCSE, which it said it wanted to introduce \u201cas soon as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conservative ministers pledged to introduce the qualification from September this year. But Ofqual warned it wouldn\u2019t be possible in that timeframe.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOfqual\u2019s first consultation in 2023 looked at \u201chigh-level principles\u201d for the qualification. The latest, running until June 25, seeks views on specific areas such as accessibility of assessments, vocabulary and grammar, and the structure of non-exam assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DfE said its focus is on ensuring the qualification is the \u201chighest quality\u201d and \u201cserves the needs\u201d of students and teachers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Department for Education initially hoped the qualification would be launched in autumn this year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":314902,"featured_media":229484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[155],"post-theme":[2345],"class_list":["post-229574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-gcses","post-theme-assessment"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t