Petition · past parliament · Department for Education
Allow schools to teach BSL instead of a modern foreign language
Closed
192 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the Government to change the criteria for teaching languages to allow primary schools to teach British Sign Language instead of a modern foreign language.
As the Government recognises BSL as an official language, it should have an equal place within the curriculum.
We believe this would be a move towards better inclusivity!
Currently if a school wishes to teach BSL this has to be in addition to MFL. With significant time pressure on schools, this is difficult to do.
Thousands of children in our mainstream schools rely on or regularly use BSL to support their education and/or communication at home.
This change would better allow schools teach BSL with the time and resources it deserves, and could help create an inclusive community and start children on a pathway to employment.
We believe this would be a move towards better inclusivity!
Currently if a school wishes to teach BSL this has to be in addition to MFL. With significant time pressure on schools, this is difficult to do.
Thousands of children in our mainstream schools rely on or regularly use BSL to support their education and/or communication at home.
This change would better allow schools teach BSL with the time and resources it deserves, and could help create an inclusive community and start children on a pathway to employment.
Timeline
| 28 Nov 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 28 May 2024 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
192
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education
Opened
28 Nov 2023
Closed
28 May 2024
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.