A teen from Lowestoft who has been campaigning for British Sign Language to be taught in schools for the last five years has said it is a "significant moment in the history of the British Dead community."

Daniel Jillings, 17 from Lowestoft, has been campaigning tirelessly since he was 12 to have a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL).

This morning, the Government announced that a BSL GCSE course would be introduced following a 12-week consultation.

This course is set to begin from September 2025.

East Anglian Daily Times: Daniel Jillings has been campaigning since he was 12 for this GCSEDaniel Jillings has been campaigning since he was 12 for this GCSE (Image: Ann Jillings)

Daniel Jillings said: "It is just wonderful to finally see the announcement of the BSL GCSE today.

"This is a significant moment in the history of the British Deaf community and is a powerful step towards equality.

"Both deaf and hearing students will have the opportunity to study BSL as a GCSE, which puts BSL on an equal footing with other languages and hopefully will mean that deaf students feel less isolated in school.

"I started campaigning with the knowledge that it might be too late for me to take the GCSE myself, however, I am so pleased to know that many students can access this amazing opportunity and this makes the campaign for a BSL GCSE worthwhile.

East Anglian Daily Times: Daniel is glad other kids are able to study BSL Daniel is glad other kids are able to study BSL (Image: Ann Jillings)

"I would like to thank everyone involved in getting to this historic moment, particularly the deaf organisations who have supported it and the subject experts who have worked so hard to make it a reality."

Susan Daniels, chief executive of the National Deaf Children's Society, said: "An incredible amount of work has been undertaken to get to this point, not least from young deaf campaigner Daniel Jillings who fought so hard for the right to study a GCSE in BSL."

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, formerly headteacher at King Edward VI school in Bury St Edmunds, added: "We fully support the introduction of the new GCSE in British Sign Language and we’re delighted that it is now very close to reality.

"It will give BSL users the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their legally recognised language, encourage other students to learn a useful communication skill, and promote inclusivity."