BSL on course to feature in British school curriculum at GCSE level

Caring for everyone

As a radio station serving everyone, but with a special focus on the needs of those living with a disability or disadvantage, we are constantly working to ensure no one is left un-catered for.

To this end, we are particularly aware of our responsibility to the deaf and hearing impaired, not always easy to support through radio broadcasts alone.

Big Ear Radio campaigning for BSL in Schools

Along with our partners in education, we had been planning to campaign for BSL to be taught in all schools. So we turned to our local Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, a true supporter of Equal Ability Radio's "Big Ear" project, to seek his advice on the best way forward.

Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and Chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, said, " I am delighted that BSL will be offered in schools as part of the school curriculum. I understand that the Department for Education is working to introduce a GCSE in BSL as soon as possible and that the Government is aiming to consult publicly on the draft subject content this year. As an ongoing supporter of Equal Ability Radio's "Big Ear" project, I will be monitoring the progress closely."

Supporting the drive to learn BSL

Equal Ability Radio will now be able to turn its attentions to the production of short videos teaching rudimentary BSL to youngsters and their significant adults. Our course videos will be freely available, lots of fun and an ideal entry level support for anyone wishing to learn BSL.

We are grateful to our partners at "Deaf Animation World and "Study Sharpe" for joining us in this endeavour and we are excited about sharing the course around the World.

Please watch this space for news in the not-too-distant future.