Educator of the Year Award 2026
The year's Educator of the Year Award goes to Matthew Barrow from The Judd School! Matthew has been a fantastic support and advocate for Apps for Good over the last few years, and is a key member of our Fellows community - a core group of our most valued and supportive teachers.
Matthew has delivered our computing courses with fidelity, and has provided various opportunities for Industry Engagement for his students. He's also incredibly generous and open with providing feedback on all things Apps for Good, including some fantastic insight into our new AI for Good 2.0 materials. A big thank you to Matthew for all of his involvement!
Q&A with Matthew Barrow
How do you think Apps for Good supports young people with the skills required to succeed in life and work?
Apps for Good bridges the gap between theoretical computing and real-world execution. By engaging with the full product lifecycle, students do not just learn technical skills - they learn how to solve actual problems. The course naturally fosters essential transferable skills that are critical in the modern workplace, such as collaborative teamwork, project management, and presentation skills. Navigating the inevitable setbacks of software development also builds resilience. It helps students understand how to communicate their ideas effectively and see the wider value of their technical knowledge.
What do you think are the main benefits associated with engaging with Industry Volunteers?
Whilst my team here at The Judd School have all worked in industry prior to education, access to current real-world Industry Volunteers is invaluable for the students. It allows them to see things through a different lens and understand how their ideas are perceived outwardly. When students pitch to an active professional, it validates their hard work and elevates the experience from a standard school project to a real-world venture. It grounds their learning in current industry practices and teaches them how to receive constructive feedback.
Tell us about how your students respond when they’re working on something that matters to them?
When students are given the freedom to tackle social issues they genuinely care about, their engagement increases significantly. The Apps for Good framework shifts their perspective, encouraging them to look at problems within their community and further afield. I have seen students passionately debate solutions for issues like mental health, climate change, and school inclusivity. This autonomy fosters a strong sense of ownership; they are not just working for a grade, but to solve a problem, helping them realise they have the tools to drive positive change.
Would you recommend Apps for Good to other teachers looking for new ways to teach computing?
I would wholeheartedly recommend Apps for Good. Computing and Computer Science are fundamentally applied subjects, and it is vital for students to understand how technology can be used in the real world and what impacts it can have. This curriculum perfectly balances technical rigour with creative freedom. For teachers, it brings a fresh energy to the classroom because you get to see students apply logic to issues they care about. It is incredibly rewarding to see the variety of unique solutions they produce every year.