Bid to create GCSE in British Sign Language wins funding boost
SUPPORT: (Left to right) : Gillian Marshall-Dyson, funding and projects co-ordinator at Signature, Lindsay Foster, chief operating officer of Signature and Norman Eric Heaviside, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Durham
Tony Kearney / Monday 13 July 2015 / News
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AN attempt to develop a GCSE in British Sign Language has been awarded funding from a Freemasons charity.
Durham-based charity Signature is campaigning for British Sign Language to be introduced to the national curriculum to help break down barriers for deaf children in education and allow them to gain a GCSE in their native language.
The charity has now received a financial boost to its campaign after being awarded £18,000 from The Freemasons' Grand Charity.
Lindsay Foster, Chief Operating Officer of Signature, said: "We are overwhelmed to have received such a generous grant from The Freemason's Grand Charity, and feel that this financial backing acknowledges how important our aims are to develop a GCSE in British Sign Language.
"We believe that the introduction of a British Sign Language GCSE into the national curriculum would be a significant step towards providing deaf children with more equal access to education and employment, and we thank the Durham Freemasons for their support."
Norman Eric Heaviside, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Durham said: "We are thrilled to be involved in this exciting development for British Sign Language.
"This qualification will go a long way in helping British Sign Language gain the status it deserves and will provide deaf children with greater opportunities both in learning and in life. Durham Freemasons are very happy to be supporting Signature in their work to create equality between deaf and hearing people."