Latest news with #BSL
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glastonbury viewers go wild for sign language interpreters getting their groove on as they praise their air guitar skills and impassioned performances
Glastonbury viewers went wild for the sign language interpreters getting their groove on during a number of sets over the weekend. Every summer, tens of thousands of revellers descend on Somerset's Worthy Farm for the celebration of music, politics and art. But beyond the headline sets and all-night partying, Glastonbury has cemented itself at the forefront of inclusivity. For years, deaf festival goers - and watchers - have been able to get their Glasto fill thanks to British Sign Language interpreters, who not only sign but also perform the words with passion and energy in an attempt to replicate the atmosphere. And this year's festival was no different, with a range of interpreters from DeafZone putting on their own show aside the likes of Brandi Carlyle, RAYE, Alanis Morissette, and Burning Spear. The BSL interpreters have captivated audiences both on-site at the festival and watching on TV at home, with a fan saying of one performer: 'She deserves an Oscar AND a pay rise.' Taking to social media over the weekend, viewers raved over varios BSL interpreted sets, writing: 'Glastonbury sign language lady goes hard,'; 'Loving the sign language interpreters covering #Glastonbury2025 #RAYE getting their groove on with @raye'; 'You cannot possibly have a more fun afternoon than watching Glastonbury with sign-language. This still doesn't remotely do it justice,'; 'I've just been flicking through the channels and arrived onto whatever channel is showing Glastonbury but the one with the sign language interpreter and she's having the time of her life,'; 'Best part of watching @Glastonbury on @bbc this year is the sign language people. Absolutely f***ing brilliant! Hats off to them all, incredible work,'; 'The people doing the sign language on the Glastonbury coverage are absolutely masters of their craft and complete legends ... Bravo,'; '10/10 sign language interpreter vibes for #Glastonbury2025,'; 'Watch the sign language woman rocking the f*** out of her air guitar is worth watching Glasto alone. What a job!'; Taking to social media over the weekend, viewers raved over varios BSL interpreted sets, writing: 'Glastonbury sign language lady goes hard' 'Fair play to the sign language chick going mad for Biffy Clyro! Respect,'; 'I cannot speak for deaf people but the lady doing sign language whilst simultaneously rocking out on the iplayer coverage of Glastonbury deserves an Oscar and a pay rise. She is fantastic!'; 'Absolutely loving watching Glastonbury as always but the absolute highlight is the sign language. Drumming and air guitar brilliant!!' Many watching the BSL interpreters have done so from the comfort of their own homes, as the BBC promised hours of coverage of the world renowned festival. Yet some fans were left raging on Saturday night after the BBC 's live coverage of the iconic festival crashed mid-broadcast, leaving viewers staring at a blank screen instead of their favourite acts. As the second night of action took place at Worthy Farm, music lovers hoping to catch Scissor Sisters and Charli XCX from the comfort of their sofas, were left disappointed when both the BBC TV feed and iPlayer suffered a major technical fail. During a highly anticipated set on The Other Stage, viewers tuning in via BBC, were met with a blank screen. And those trying to watch live performances online on iPlayer's main Glastonbury stream, were met with an error message that read: 'Sorry for the interruption. We're working to fix this.' Many took to social media to vent their frustration online, demanding answers and better coverage. To catch any remaining action from The Other Stage, desperate viewers had to scramble to the dedicated feed, which remained - mercifully - untouched by the glitch.
STV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Deaf teen who won fight for interpreter hails classroom reform for BSL users
A deaf teenager who won a legal fight for an interpreter in the classroom has welcomed the passing of a bill that will legally recognise students and teachers who use British Sign Language (BSL). Niamdh Braid, 16, has been deaf since birth and has hearing aids, but her first choice of language is BSL. Last year, Niamdh took legal action against Fife Council after being denied access to an interpreter in her classes, despite attending Auchmuty High School, which is designated as a base for deaf support services. Her dad argued the lack of support had 'denied her full access to learning for her whole school career.' The tribunal ruled in Niamdh's favour, finding she had been placed at a 'substantial disadvantage' without BSL interpretation. Reflecting on her experience, she told STV News: 'I've been so tired from having to focus on lip reading, piecing bits of sentences together that I've missed, and then having to write stuff down while trying to lip read. 'Then if I'm writing something down, I'm then missing what the teacher's saying at that point, but if I don't write it down, then I'm going to miss what they're saying because I don't have it written down, so I don't have those notes.' On Wednesday, MSPs voted to pass reforms to Scotland's Education system by 69 votes to 47. STV News Niamdh has welcomed the new Bill which will help deaf people 'navigate life in a hearing world' The Education Scotland Bill will see the creation of a new authority, Qualifications Scotland, abolishing the current SQA model and a new chief inspector of Education of Scotland. At submission, the bill only included recognition for Gaelic learners but following a year-long campaign headed by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). George McGowan from the NDCS says the new legislation is a huge milestone for BSL learners. Deaf children are nearly three times as likely to leave school without any qualifications, with the NCDS saying children and young people who use BSL are now protected for the future. George said: 'We feel this is a massive move forward for young deaf children's rights here in Scotland. 'BSL is a vibrant language which gives deaf children and young people access to a rich culture, heritage and identity. 'We're keen to see more people learn British Sign Language to remove the barriers that exist between deaf and hearing people. 'In addition, it helps us educate the hearing community about both the deaf community and deaf culture.' Despite this recognition, members of the BSL community are questioning why it has taken so long for the bill to include the language, despite the British Sign Language Scotland Bill coming into force in October 2015. Niamdh is now heading into her sixth year of high school and has an interpreter to help with her studies. STV News National Deaf Children's Society George McGowan She says she hopes this move can help remove stigma and improve support for younger deaf children. She said: 'At the end of the day, we're in a world that isn't built for us; we're in a world that was built for and by hearing people. We just need that little bit of support to be able to navigate life in a hearing world.' Education secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP said: 'I think this says very strongly to the BSL community that we value them, we want to work with them, we want to make sure that where policy does not reflect their needs, we work to get that right. 'The government did that. It's so important I know to the BSL community that we have that reflected in all that we do, particularly in an education space where we know those entitlements are absolutely fundamental to supporting our young people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Holyrood passes legislation to abolish SQA exams body
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is set to be scrapped and replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland. The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by 69 votes to 47 late on Wednesday evening, following two days of debate. As well as abolishing the SQA, the bill also sets out plans for a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. READ NEXT: Scotland sees 'rare' weather phenomenon as weather set to shift READ NEXT: Banned driver who left friend in wheelchair for life after crash jailed The bill states that Qualification Scotland will have to give equal weighting to both British Sign Language (BSL) and the Gaelic language. It also outlines that the new body must consider the needs of pupils who use BSL or learn in BSL. The new body is expected to be up and running in the autumn, after this year's exam results are released. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 pupils were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking as the legislation was passed, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the bill would "fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently". Jenny Gilruth And speaking after the vote, Gilruth said: 'The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland's education and skills system. "The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering." Gilruth added that the new chief inspector would have "greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections". 'Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development," she continued. 'Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people." The bill was backed by the Scottish Greens, who said that the new body "will put the voices of teachers and students at its heart". The party's education spokesperson, Ross Greer, who has previously campaigned for an overhaul of the exams body, said he was pleased MSPs had voted for "this fresh start in Scottish education". Ross Greer He said: "Senior leadership at the SQA was given the opportunity to change over many years, but refused to do so. "Replacing the organisation with one legally required to listen to teachers and students will end this constant cycle of scandals. "Now we can begin rebuilding the trust which was so completely destroyed over the last decade and put the focus back on supporting students." But he added that such reform needed to be followed up with "urgent work" to reduce teachers' workload and an overhaul of the "Victorian-era" end of term exams system towards a model of ongoing assessment. Greer also hit out at Scottish Labour, who voted down the bill on the basis it did not go far enough. "Labour's vote to protect the scandal-plagued and unaccountable SQA is bizarre," he said. 'How can anyone look at the mistakes of recent years and think it can continue? We need real change for students and teachers, which this bill will deliver." Both Labour and the Tories voted down the bill on Wednesday. Pam Duncan-Glancy, Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, said: 'We needed a qualifications system fit for the future, one that respects the efforts of learners, supports the judgment of teachers, and earns the trust of employers and universities. 'We needed a curriculum that is broad and inclusive, we needed an inspectorate that can challenge where necessary but also celebrate excellence. But on reform this is a job unfinished.' Meanwhile, Scottish Tory education spokesperson Miles Briggs said the new body was "little more than a rebrand of the SQA". 'The SQA needed an overhaul, not a cosmetic makeover, and the changes proposed fall way short of what is required to ensure the organisation can operate effectively and is properly accountable," he added.
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Holyrood passes legislation to abolish SQA exams body
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is set to be scrapped and replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland. The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by 69 votes to 47 late on Wednesday evening, following two days of debate. As well as abolishing the SQA, the bill also sets out plans for a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. READ MORE: 100 charities challenge Ian Murray and Scottish Labour to oppose UK welfare cuts The bill states that Qualification Scotland will have to give equal weighting to both British Sign Language (BSL) and the Gaelic language. It also outlines that the new body must consider the needs of pupils who use BSL or learn in BSL. The new body is expected to be up and running in the autumn, after this year's exam results are released. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 pupils were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking as the legislation was passed, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the bill would "fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently". Jenny Gilruth And speaking after the vote, Gilruth said: 'The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland's education and skills system. "The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering." Gilruth added that the new chief inspector would have "greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections". READ MORE: SNP MPs join Labour rebellion in bid to kill off benefit cuts 'Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development," she continued. 'Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people." The bill was backed by the Scottish Greens, who said that the new body "will put the voices of teachers and students at its heart". The party's education spokesperson, Ross Greer, who has previously campaigned for an overhaul of the exams body, said he was pleased MSPs had voted for "this fresh start in Scottish education". Ross Greer He said: "Senior leadership at the SQA was given the opportunity to change over many years, but refused to do so. "Replacing the organisation with one legally required to listen to teachers and students will end this constant cycle of scandals. "Now we can begin rebuilding the trust which was so completely destroyed over the last decade and put the focus back on supporting students." But he added that such reform needed to be followed up with "urgent work" to reduce teachers' workload and an overhaul of the "Victorian-era" end of term exams system towards a model of ongoing assessment. Greer also hit out at Scottish Labour, who voted down the bill on the basis it did not go far enough. "Labour's vote to protect the scandal-plagued and unaccountable SQA is bizarre," he said. 'How can anyone look at the mistakes of recent years and think it can continue? We need real change for students and teachers, which this bill will deliver." READ MORE: UK nations unite against Labour's 'inadequate' devolution approach Both Labour and the Tories voted down the bill on Wednesday. Pam Duncan-Glancy, Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, said: 'We needed a qualifications system fit for the future, one that respects the efforts of learners, supports the judgment of teachers, and earns the trust of employers and universities. 'We needed a curriculum that is broad and inclusive, we needed an inspectorate that can challenge where necessary but also celebrate excellence. But on reform this is a job unfinished.' Meanwhile, Scottish Tory education spokesperson Miles Briggs said the new body was "little more than a rebrand of the SQA". 'The SQA needed an overhaul, not a cosmetic makeover, and the changes proposed fall way short of what is required to ensure the organisation can operate effectively and is properly accountable," he added.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
HC stays probe into FIR against senior BSL officers
Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court has clamped a stay on further investigations into an FIR lodged against senior employees of the Bokaro Steel Plant. BSL director in-charge Birendra Kumar Tiwary and executive director Rajshree Banerjee had moved the HC seeking quashing of the FIR lodged against them. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The officers had challenged the FIR and its proceedings which was initiated after clashes between the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) and members of the Visthapit Apprentice Sangh. The court of Justice Ananda Sen after hearing the matter ordered a stay in the proceedings on June 10. The Sangh had planned to stage a protest on April 4 agitating their claims for appointment in the steel company. The protest was conducted in front of the main administrative building of the steel plant. The otherwise peaceful demonstration suddenly turned violent leading to clash between the CISF forces and demonstrators leading to the death of a protestor Prem Kumar Mahto. Mahto's father then lodged a FIR against senior BSL employees in this regard which was challenged before the high court. He has alleged that on the orders of the top brass of the steel plant, the CISF personnel went on an offensive claiming the life of Prem Kumar Mahto. Several other FIRs have also been filed due to skirmishes in other areas of the district. The BSL senior management immediately held meetings with the disgruntled apprentices and announced a Rs 20 lakh compensation for the deceased's family, along with contractual employment for one member. Injured persons will receive free treatment at BGH and 10,000 compensation, the management had decided.
