VIRGINIA KAY

Virginia has been a member of the Faculty of Education since 2011 and her qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Education and English with QTS, an MA in Inclusion and SEN (with Distinction) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (with Distinction).  

Virginia’s professional experience includes 12 years teaching in a variety of settings across key stages 1, 2 and 3, including two years in the United States. She is credited with an in-depth knowledge of inclusion and SEN, in relation to both policy and practice, which was recognised when she was asked to become the Course Leader for the National SENCo Award. Virginia is passionate about social justice within education, especially as this relates to learners with a range of Special Educational Needs and the role of the SENCos with whom they work. Her extensive teaching background, understanding of the demanding SENCo role and her academic knowledge of inclusion give Virginia both the practical and professional expertise to lead and deliver high quality teaching and learning on the National Award for SEN Co-ordination.

Virginia’s research interests centre around inclusion and social justice in education.  She is particularly interested in the field of Special Educational Needs, the policy and practice of inclusive education provision and the tensions present within the SENCo role.

Virginia is a member of a RIF funded team utilising photo-elicitation to investigate children, teachers and HE students’ understandings and experiences of educational inclusion and SEN.   She also took part in the Faculty Research Apprenticeship scheme, working on a collaborative project related to student teachers’ perceptions of ‘race’ and ethnicity.