Matthew Kerr

I am an experienced KS2 primary school teacher currently based in Dubai, returning to the UK in August 2026 after several years teaching at GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, an international academy serving a highly diverse, multicultural community. I am passionate about creating learning environments where every child feels challenged, supported, and genuinely valued. My teaching philosophy centres on collaborative learning, praising effort over attainment, and building the kind of classroom culture where pupils take ownership of their progress.

Alongside my classroom practice, I have a long-standing commitment to sport, community coaching, and wider school life, and I bring that same energy and dedication into everything I do as an educator.

• KS2 Class Teacher, GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, Dubai — present

• Founded and led a Gaelic Football club at GEMS JPS, expanding extracurricular provision for pupils

• Supported a pupil with no English on arrival to reach greater depth standard within a single academic year

• Successfully stabilised a significantly challenging cohort through structured behaviour management strategies

• Facilitated and contributed to professional learning groups as part of ongoing staff development

• KS2 Class Teacher and Head of Geography, Brookside Primary School, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

• Appointed Geography Lead in second year of teaching, developing and embedding the subject across the school

• Mentored an ITT placement student through their training year

• Volunteered in township schools in South Africa, gaining insight into education in under-resourced communities

• Organised and participated in a winter sleep-out fundraiser in support of school and community causes

• Multi-sport coach with Derry GAA and Mid-Ulster District Council, spanning over a decade

• PGCE in Primary Education, University of Nottingham

• BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science, Loughborough University
• A Levels, Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland

• GCSEs, St Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt