At Dingwall Academy, pupils have been offered BSL qualifications as a mainstream language option for both hearing and deaf pupils for over 30 years.
Young people in S3 and S4 are able to learn how to communicate in the language, as well as how it differs from communicating in other languages, while undertaking the SQA BSL Award at SQCF levels 3-5.
Pupil Sophie-Louise believes there are wider benefits to gaining the qualification: “I feel that BSL should be taught in more schools as…learning BSL has given me the opportunity to interact with deaf people outside school. This is something that makes a massive difference to the deaf community.”
This is a sentiment echoed by her classmate, Caroline, who says: “BSL is a fun language to learn and a good skill to have. Even knowing basic signs can be helpful. It opens up your mind and lets you see what life is like from a different perspective, which is really interesting.”
Qualifications at all levels
The qualifications have proved so popular that the school now offers progress to SCQF levels 5-6 during pupil’s senior phase. Many pupils are even choosing to continue their BSL journey at Heriot-Watt University, where they will achieve a master’s degree in Interpreting (MSc Interpreting).
Karen Cormack, Head teacher at Dingwall Academy, says she is delighted with the uptake of progression routes and that the way they introduce the opportunity to pupils has been key: “We offer a taster experience as part of the Broad General Education (BGE) – pupils engage really well and enjoy learning a new language in such a practical away.
“It is fantastic to now be able to offer pupils the opportunity to go on and study SCQF level 6 BSL, and to have pupils continue with the language when they previously would have had to stop. BSL is an excellent addition to our senior phase and we are delighted that our pupils and staff are leading the way.”
The qualifications are being valued by pupils who also feel it will have benefits to a wide range of careers.
Aoife, who is undertaking the BSL Award at SCQF level 6, says the qualification will be useful when she embarks on her chosen career: “I think it will also be very useful in the future as I want to be a police officer and I think it will be beneficial if I meet or need to help someone who is deaf. It is a very interesting skill to know.”
Sheila Lundberg, a Co-ordinator at the Highland Deaf Education Service, says the success of the qualifications at the Highland school can be attributed to the young learners appreciating the benefits of studying BSL.
Shelia says: “BSL is a beautiful, full, vibrant living language. Over the last 30 years, Dingwall Academy has produced six BSL/English interpreters and two of this year’s SCQF level 6 cohort are keen to undertake the MSc Interpreting. It’s a great record!”
While, Megan, who is working towards the BSL Award at SCQF level 5, says the language is also proving useful in other subject areas: “BSL helps me understand English better because you have to break it down and think about what it means.”
Sandy Riddell, SQA Qualifications Manager for BSL, welcomes the positive impact the awards are having at Dingwall Academy, adding: “It’s fantastic to hear that pupils are enjoying, and appreciating the many benefits of our BSL Awards. I’m delighted that some have chosen to continue their BSL studies at university.”
“At each level of the BSL Awards, learners develop their understanding of how sign languages work, and how they differ from spoken and written languages.
“As they progress through the awards, they acquire knowledge of the history and development of British Sign Language and the Deaf Community in Scotland and beyond.”
SQA’s BSL Awards are available at SCQF levels 3-6. These nationally recognised qualifications are available in schools, colleges, community organisations and volunteer-involving organisations.
To find out more visit sqa.org.uk/bsl.
Learn about International Week of Deaf People at wfdeaf.org/iwdeaf2023/
