Trainee Teacher of the Year Award

DESCRIBED by his colleagues as a ‘natural’, Matthew Kerridge embarked on his teacher training year with Heckmondwike Grammar School and Kirklees and Calderdale School Centred Initial Teacher Training in September 2016. It was clear from the outset that Matthew was no ordinary trainee. He had already been a footballer for Huddersfield Town, worked for the Prince’s Trust programme and served as a volunteer teacher in Brazil and Kenya. As a trainee teacher, Matthew has demonstrated his high expectations of all students and ensures all students make good progress. In addition to delivering excellent, well-planned lessons, he has settled into the department with ease and has formed excellent relationships with colleagues. Matthew is a real team player, known for his professionalism at all times while being approachable, supportive and encouraging. In December, as the Business Club Founder he organised the HGS Business Club’s ‘Apprentice-style’ competition, in which more than 80 students between the ages of 11 and 16 participated, ultimately raising over £800 for charity and making the headlines in a number of local newspapers. Drawing from the experiences of his previous charity work, Matthew capably lead experienced teachers, fellow trainees and students alike. The initiative he showed, and the willingness to commit time and energy to the club while continuing with the pressures and challenges of teacher training, are highly commendable. Matthew’s mentor has even endorsed him as the ‘most outstanding trainee’ the department has ever had. Exhibiting genuine drive, determination and enthusiasm for teaching, there’s no doubt that Matthew will go on to make outstanding contributions to his future schools, students and the community.