Kingswinford teacher up for mentor award in BAFTA competition

Matt Guest, who is head of computing at Summerhill School in Kingswinford, is in the running for Young Game Designers (YGD) mentor award, which is presented to an individual involved in the education of young game designers.

He is one of three mentor finalists in the running this year, who all work with young people in schools, clubs and youth initiatives across the UK.

Mr Guest was nominated by many of his students for the award and has always loved computer games. He set up a games creator club at his school for young people interested in gaming.

He also set up the Summerhill Classic Video Games Awards and regularly invites industry professionals to speak to students at the club.

He said: "Video games and their creation has been such a big part of my life and have helped to make me the person I am. I am desperate to ignite the same joy in others and hopefully a career in this vital British industry.”

The annual competition, which launched in 2010, aims to find the game designers of the future and the teachers or mentors who inspire them. This year, there are 40 entries by 53 finalists. Children aged between 10 and 18 years old have submitted game designs and concepts addressing a wide range of issues including mental health, climate change, conservation, disability, bereavement and transgender rights.

Dr Jo Twist OBE, chair of games committee at BAFTA, added: "Games are a fantastic art form for creators to express themselves, and I am delighted to see young people tackling important topics through their design and concept entries this year. Their creativity and ambition for social change through the medium of games is inspiring.

"A very well deserved congratulations and good luck to all the 2019 finalists."

The winners, chosen by a panel of industry professionals, will be revealed at a special awards ceremony at BAFTA's headquarters in London on June 29.