Petitions/Introduce British Sign Language (BSL) to all primary school children
StatusClosed
Opened7 Nov 2025
Closes7 May 2026
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Use digital platforms to introduce BSL to all children within primary schools. Studies suggest sign-language use improves spelling, reading and language skills for all. It promotes inclusion of hearing-impaired children, supporting better educational, employment, and mental health outcomes.

Isolation, loneliness and reduced life-chances can result from the communication barriers that hearing and speech impairment present.  One study found a deaf-attainment gap of 17.5 months at GCSE, and points to parallels with socially disadvantaged children. Using digital BSL platforms in primary schools, could transform the lives of those with hearing and speech impairment. It could help the estimated 18 million people with hearing impairments to remain employed in a more BSL-aware population.

3,218Total signatures
Select your constituency →
10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Tristan Osborne
1Tristan Osborne MP
Chatham and Aylesford
60
Chris Ward
2Chris Ward MP
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
50
Kirsty Blackman
3Kirsty Blackman MP
Aberdeen North
39
Maria Eagle
4Maria Eagle MP
Liverpool Garston
36
Andrew Bowie
5Andrew Bowie MP
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
31
Paula Barker
6Paula Barker MP
Liverpool Wavertree
29
Ms Marie Rimmer
7Ms Marie Rimmer MP
St Helens South and Whiston
29
David Baines
8David Baines MP
St Helens North
26
Esther McVey
9Esther McVey MP
Tatton
26
Ian Byrne
10Ian Byrne MP
Liverpool West Derby
25
Introduce British Sign Language (BSL) to all primary school children — Petitions