All secondary school pupils in England will soon be able to do a GCSE in British Sign Language, the Government has confirmed.
The groundbreaking new GCSE will give pupils at schools nationwide – including those right across Greater Manchester – the opportunity to learn how to “effectively communicate” using British Sign Language (BSL).
Set to provide students with what the Government has dubbed “an important life skill”, and being introduced with the aim of “advancing inclusivity within education”, the news that the new qualification will be available from 2025 comes following a 12-week public consultation.
The Department for Education (DfE) says it received “overwhelmingly positive support” for introducing the new GCSE from parents, teachers and organisations from the deaf and hearing communities – with their responses from the consultation said to be going towards helping ensure the content of the qualification is “knowledge-rich, diverse in its teaching, and challenging”.
The Government is aiming for the BSL GCSE to have exam board syllabuses approved from the start of the academic term in September 2025.
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A GCSE in sign language is to be offered as an option at all secondary schools in England / Credit: gov.uk
In line with all other qualifications, the BSL GCSE will be open to all pupils, the Government has confirmed.
It will also be recognised and accepted in all school and college performance tables.
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Set to be an internationally recognised qualification, the Government says that pupils who study the new BSL GCSE will get to develop ways of expressing and negotiating meaning through visual spatial language, as well effective communication and visual memory skills that will be an advantage to them for the rest of their lives.
As well as learning how to sign, the GCSE will also give students an understanding of the history of sign language in the UK to provide them with “a solid foundation” for understanding how the language reached its current form.
The new qualification will be available from the start of the academic term in September 2025 / Credit: gov.uk
“Studying British Sign Language can open so many doors for young people,” commented Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, as the new qualification was announced this week.
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“It will give pupils an understanding of how thousands of people communicate and ultimately even expanding job prospects.”
Ms Keegan said the new qualification will “not only break down barriers and give young people valuable new skills”, but also “celebrate the history and rich culture of British Sign Language.”
Police urgently appeal after 19-year-old pedestrian is hit and ‘seriously injured’ on Mancunian Way
Emily Sergeant
An urgent police appeal has been issued following a serious collision on the Mancunian Way this past weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at 11:50pm on Halloween (Saturday 31 October), officers responded to reports of a serious collision on the Mancunian Way, by the exit slip road for London Road.
It was reported that a 19-year-old man had walked on the slip road, where he was struck by a vehicle – causing him to sustain ‘life-threatening injuries’ in the process.
Police say the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, and has cooperated with enquires.
As officers continue to establish the full circumstances of this shocking incident, GMP has now issued an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
This includes anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any dashcam or CCTV footage from around the time and location of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 or the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 4579 of 31/10/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
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Tickets go live as opening date is announced for Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience
Emily Sergeant
Tickets to visit Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience have officially gone live ahead of the grand opening.
Set to open in the heart of the £300m Medlock Square entertainment district at Manchester’s Etihad Campus next month, the Manchester City Museum Experience will be spread across 10 distinctive spaces – with visitors invited to take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic environments from throughout the club’s history.
Fans will also be able to take part in interactive media experiences, like posing with all 48 major trophies won by the club’s first teams or trying their hand at football punditry.
The experience will combine the latest immersive technology with physical memorabilia drawn from across the club’s history to do this.
Hidden details and surprising ‘did you know’ facts are set to be embedded across the experience, so that even the most devoted Man City fans will have the chance to discover something new about the club they love.
By combining interactive environments, technology, and authentic artefacts, the experience is aiming to appeal to a wide audience – from lifelong Manchester City supporters, to families and those with a broader interest in football, culture, and the city of Manchester.
“The Museum Experience has been designed as a destination that goes beyond just the pitch,” commented Jeremy Maxton, who is the Director of Visitor Attractions at Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City releases CGIs and important details of its new ‘immersive’ museum / Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
“Whether you’re a lifelong supporter, visiting Manchester for a weekend, or simply looking for a unique day out, we’ve created an experience that offers something for everyone.
“From the recreated environments and original memorabilia to the interactive elements, there are different ways into the Club’s history throughout the Museum.
“We’ve also built in space for new stories to be added over time, so the experience can continue to evolve. It’s been a huge project to bring together and we’re looking forward to people seeing it for themselves later this year.”
The Manchester City Museum Experience officially opens on 14 December, and you can now book tickets to visit from that date here.
Featured Image – Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
Emily Sergeant -
21st December 2023 
