Back-To-School Guide
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Hi, I’m David, the Physics Coach. I am an experienced and passionate Physics teacher, an award winning educator and both founder and owner of The Physics Coach Ltd.
The Physics Coach first launched in 2018 in a classroom environment, where I taught Physics to a small group of pupils that needed some extra support. Fast forward 7 years and a global pandemic later and we have seen The Physics Coach grow from strength to strength, utilising online technology to allow students from all over Scotland to join our sessions and we have expanded into Chemistry, Biology and Maths bringing on board amazing teachers to teach these subjects.
The benefits that the Physics Coach brings to the students can be clearly evidenced from our amazing feedback. As an experienced teacher I know that our young people often thrive in an environment where they are both challenged and supported and that’s exactly what we aim to do at every session with The Physics Coach.
We have 3 highly experienced physics teachers with vast knowledge of National 5 and Higher.
David is the founder of The Physics Coach and has a passion for promoting STEM activities in schools and has recently been awarded Scottish Teacher of the Year by the Engineering Development Trust. David has been teaching Physics since 2008 having previously taught Mathematics. Following the pandemic David had the vision to develop The Physics Coach into the success it is today with his use of ICT and exceptional teaching.
Sohail (pictured left) is a very experienced teacher and for the last 12 years was head of a successful Science faculty. His teaching strategies include using interactive learning and developing thinking skills to enhance his students’ problem solving abilities. This has led to excellent results year in year out. Sohail is also an experienced tutor with unqualified success. During the Covid pandemic he developed his IT skills to enable him to deliver very effective online lessons.
Connor (pictured right) is an experienced Physics teacher at The Physics Coach, specialising in National 5 and Higher levels. He uses active learning techniques to engage students and make complex concepts more accessible. In addition to his teaching role, Connor has a key responsibility for training staff in the use of digital approaches to formative assessment. His commitment to innovation in education ensures both students and colleagues benefit from the latest methods in digital learning, helping to enhance overall classroom engagement and student performance.
Jim is an experienced Physics teacher with a decade of classroom experience, having taught in a number of schools and across different exam boards. As an experienced SQA marker, he has an excellent understanding of what is required for exam success and uses this knowledge to help pupils develop their confidence and maximise their potential. Jim places a strong emphasis on pupil engagement and tailored questioning, helping students deepen their understanding and apply their knowledge effectively to unfamiliar problems. Outside the classroom, Jim is also a keen astronomer and can proudly name every major moon in the Solar System — although he is still waiting for that particular question to appear in an exam!
We have 3 highly experienced Chemistry teachers with vast knowledge of National 5 and Higher.
Laura (pictured left) has been a Chemistry teacher at The Physics Coach for 5 years and her feedback from students and parents year after year is exceptional. Her classes are always heavily booked in advance. The feedback we received from parents and students confirmed what we already knew. Laura is a highly valued member of our team who delivers exceptional exam results yearly. Laura is also a very experienced SQA Marker.
Beth (pictured right) is an experienced and dedicated Chemistry teacher who specialises in National 5 and Higher Chemistry. As an SQA marker, she brings a strong understanding of assessment standards and uses this to help students build exam confidence and succeed. Her teaching is clear, structured, and focused on helping young people grasp key concepts with clarity. Beth builds strong relationships with her students, creating a supportive and encouraging environment where everyone feels valued. Her lessons are always thoughtful, purposeful, and aligned with the warm, welcoming ethos that defines all our classes at The Physics Coach.
Mairi is an experienced and enthusiastic Chemistry teacher who has successfully delivered and tutored National 5 Chemistry. She places a strong emphasis on retrieval practice and past paper questions, helping pupils consolidate their learning and develop the skills needed for exam success. Mairi is passionate about building confidence in key Chemistry concepts and supporting pupils to apply their knowledge effectively, particularly when tackling unfamiliar questions and contexts.
We have 3 highly experienced Biology teachers.
Caitlin (pictured top left) is now in her third year with The Physics Coach, recognised for her strong classroom attainment, ICT expertise, and passion for Developing the Young Workforce. She delivers creative and engaging lessons with highly effective revision techniques. As a Young STEM Leader assessor, Caitlin is committed to inspiring students both academically and in leadership, playing an integral role in shaping future STEM professionals.
Claire (pictured top right) delivers Nat 5 Biology and Higher Human Biology sessions. She is a very experienced teacher whose teaching style has made Higher Human Biology one of the busiest classes that we offer. We are delighted Claire has returned again this year. The feedback we received from parents and students confirmed what we already knew. Claire is a highly valued member of our team who delivers exceptional exam results yearly. Claire is also a very experienced SQA Marker.
Emma (pictured bottom) is an experienced and creative Biology teacher who has successfully delivered National 5 and Higher Biology, as well as Higher Human Biology. Emma knows exactly what’s required for exam success and consistently brings out the best in her pupils, helping them grow in confidence and achieve their full potential.
Ruairidh is a fully qualified Maths teacher with over a decade of experience working with and motivating pupils across academic and sporting endeavours. He strongly believes that good relationships are the key to good results and develops a relaxed environment where pupils feel respected, encouraged and supported. Ruairidh also has a background within Finance and Statistics, allowing him to make even abstract topics more accessible with real-life experience and knowledge. Through a patient and reflective approach, Ruairidh enables and nurtures all pupils to develop confidence and see success within Maths.
Caitlin is an experienced and fully qualified Maths teacher. She has worked as an SQA marker for National 5 Applications for the past three years, bringing valuable insight into the demands of the course. Caitlin focuses on building confidence and resilience when tackling maths problems and is committed to developing positive working relationships with pupils. She works hard to create an environment where all learners feel respected, supported, and able to thrive.
Natalie is an experienced teacher who really enjoys helping students feel more confident with Maths. She has also worked for several years as an SQA exam marker, giving her a good understanding of what examiners are looking for and how students can pick up those important marks. Before becoming a teacher, Natalie studied Aeronautical Engineering and worked as an aircraft structures engineer. She has always enjoyed solving problems and brings that practical, logical approach into her teaching. Her aim is to make Maths feel less daunting, explain things in a way that makes sense, and help each student make progress while building their confidence.