Current Head of Sport Science and PE. A Level, GCSE & IB Physical Education and Sports Science teacher with 15 years' experience in some of the top schools in the UK & Africa. Loughborough University

Learn more about Marc-Antony

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  My interest in sport science began long before I entered the classroom. As both a sports enthusiast and a naturally curious learner, I was fascinated by the science behind performance: why some athletes excel, how training creates adaptation, and how the body responds to physical and psychological demands. That curiosity eventually led me into teaching, where I discovered an equally strong passion for helping others understand and apply these concepts.
  
  I first began private tutoring in 2014 while living on the Isle of Wight. I enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with students and tailor learning to their individual needs. However, after taking on a number of leadership and promotion opportunities within education, I had to step away from tutoring due to time constraints. In 2024, I returned to tutoring with a renewed focus on GCSE and A-Level PE, particularly Anatomy and Physiology. The ability to work one-to-one, identify misconceptions quickly, and see students make significant progress is incredibly rewarding and complements my work in the classroom perfectly.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach GCSE PE, A-Level PE, and Sport Science, subjects that sit at the intersection of biology, psychology, sociology, and performance. What I love most about sport science is that it allows students to understand the "why" behind human performance. Every topic has a real-world application, whether that's understanding how muscles contract, how energy systems fuel exercise, or how psychological factors influence elite athletes under pressure.
  
  My particular passion lies in Anatomy and Physiology and Exercise Physiology. I enjoy helping students understand the incredible complexity of the human body and making difficult concepts accessible through practical examples from sport. I also enjoy discussions around training methods, biomechanics, skill acquisition, and performance analysis because students can immediately see the relevance to sports they participate in or watch.
  
  If I had to choose a topic that I enjoy slightly less, it would probably be some of the more theoretical sociocultural content. However, I still find ways to bring these topics to life by linking them to contemporary sporting issues, participation trends, and current events. Ultimately, I believe every area of the specification has value when taught through engaging, relevant examples.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Absolutely. Throughout my education, I was fortunate to have teachers who combined exceptional subject knowledge with genuine enthusiasm for learning. The teachers who inspired me most were not necessarily the ones who made lessons easy; they were the ones who challenged me to think more deeply, ask better questions, and take ownership of my learning.
  
  As I progressed into teaching and later completed my Master's in Education, I became increasingly interested in the craft of teaching itself. My role models expanded beyond individual teachers to include educational researchers and practitioners who champion evidence-informed teaching. They reinforced my belief that great teaching is not simply about delivering information—it's about creating the conditions in which students can thrive, develop confidence, and exceed their own expectations.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor needs far more than strong subject knowledge. Of course, expertise is important, but the ability to explain complex ideas clearly and adapt explanations to different learners is what truly makes a difference.
  
  The most effective tutors are patient, approachable, and excellent listeners. They understand that every student learns differently and that confidence is often just as important as content knowledge. A good tutor can identify misconceptions quickly, ask probing questions, and provide the right level of challenge and support.
  
  I also believe that enthusiasm is essential. Students are far more likely to engage with a subject when they can see that their tutor genuinely enjoys it. Finally, a good tutor must be invested in the student's success. Building trust, setting high expectations, and celebrating progress are all crucial elements of effective tutoring.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  One of my favourite moments as a teacher involved a student who was convinced that Anatomy and Physiology was simply "too hard" and that they would never understand it. They had become overwhelmed by the volume of terminology and struggled to see how all the concepts connected together.
  
  Rather than focusing solely on memorisation, we began linking every topic to real sporting situations and performance examples. We explored how a footballer's cardiovascular system responds during extra time, how a sprinter's energy systems contribute to performance, and why fatigue occurs during prolonged exercise. Gradually, the subject started to make sense.
  
  By the end of the course, that same student achieved one of the highest marks in the class on the physiology paper. More importantly, they left with a belief that they were capable of succeeding in a subject they had once feared. Moments like that remind me that confidence and understanding often grow together.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still face in your subject?

  One of the biggest challenges in sport science is that it combines knowledge from several different disciplines. Students are expected to understand elements of biology, psychology, sociology, and biomechanics, and then apply that knowledge to sporting performance. This breadth can feel overwhelming at first.
  
  As a teacher, the challenge is ensuring students don't simply memorise information but genuinely understand the concepts and can apply them to unfamiliar situations. Examination questions increasingly reward application, analysis, and evaluation rather than recall alone.
  
  Even after many years of teaching, I continue to challenge myself to refine how I explain difficult concepts and stay up to date with developments in education and sport science. Completing my Master's in Education reinforced the idea that effective teaching is a continuous process of learning, reflection, and improvement.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My greatest professional passion is helping students achieve things they didn't think were possible. There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing a student's confidence grow as their understanding develops.
  
  Within the subject itself, I have a particular passion for Anatomy and Physiology and Exercise Physiology. The human body is an extraordinary system, and I never tire of exploring how it adapts to training, responds to exercise, and enables performance. I find that students become far more engaged when they realise that the concepts they are learning apply directly to their own sporting experiences.
  
  More broadly, I am passionate about evidence-informed education. My Master's in Education deepened my interest in how people learn and how teachers can use research to improve outcomes. Combining educational research with sport science is something I find both fascinating and professionally rewarding.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  I believe what sets me apart is the combination of extensive classroom experience, specialist subject knowledge, and a genuine commitment to helping students succeed.
  
  As an experienced Sport Science and PE teacher with a Master's degree in Education, I bring both academic expertise and a deep understanding of how students learn. I know the common misconceptions, the topics students often struggle with, and the strategies that help them make progress. More importantly, I understand that every student is different.
  
  My approach is supportive but challenging. I aim to build confidence while maintaining high expectations, helping students move beyond simply passing exams to truly understanding the subject. Whether a student is aiming for a top grade, preparing for university, or simply looking to improve their confidence, I tailor my teaching to their goals.
  
  Most importantly, I genuinely care about the success of my students. Their progress becomes my priority, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing them achieve results they once thought were beyond their reach. That's what motivates me as both a teacher and a tutor.