Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Consortium for Research in Deaf Education report Education provision for deaf children in England 2020/21, published in 2021; and what plans they have to encourage teaching staff to hold a Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language.

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 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. This 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, which is awarded upon successful completion of an initial teacher training (ITT) course.

All ITT courses must be designed to allow trainees to meet 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.