Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of giving native British Sign Language users training and full accreditation as British Sign Language teachers in statutory education.

The department is determined that all children and young people, including those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, receive the support they need to succeed in their education. Those teaching classes of children with sensory impairment must hold an appropriate qualification approved by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. Teachers working in an advisory role to support such pupils should also hold the appropriate qualification.

Wider decisions relating to teachers’ professional development rest with schools, headteachers, and teachers themselves, as they are in the best position to judge their own requirements, which may include further training and development relating to British Sign Language.

All teachers in local authority maintained schools or non-maintained special schools in England are required to hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is awarded upon successful completion of an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course.

All ITT courses must be designed to allow trainees to reach the Teachers Standards, including standard 5, which states that teachers should “adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils”. Standard 5 is clear that all teachers must have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The Teachers’ Standards are available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teachers-standards.