Physics tutor & more · Broad Clyst

Dr J.

Maths, Physics, Further Maths & Engineering Tutor

Broad Clyst In-person · 15mi Online 35 yrs Joined Jun 2026

About

I am passionate about teaching and helping each student maximize their potential by making Physics, Maths and Engineering accessible to all. In addition to my teaching experience (see below), I have worked as a Research Physicist (20 publications in international scientific journals), University & College Lecturer, Industrial and Graphic Designer, Engineer, Computer Programmer, Artist and BMX rider. Consequently, I am enthusiastic and proactive in helping students see how Physics and Maths relate to everything from sport to art, from music to space travel, from engineering to social media etc. This makes lessons more engaging and helps fire up students' imagination and enthusiasm for the subjects.

Teaching Experience:

I have 30 years experience teaching in private schools, state schools and universities. Fully converse with OCR, AQA and Edexcel/Pearson syllabuses for A-level, GCSE, KS3 for Physics and Maths. Invited to be an A-level Physics board examiner by OCR. Experienced in marking A-level / GCSE coursework, exam assessment and exam technique. I was part of the founding R&D team that created a world renowned maths app for use in UK school classrooms helping to take the product from prototype to market-ready by designing lessons, questions, images and videos for the app (the app is now used in UK schools and by millions of students worldwide). Regularly provide "Maths for Physics" booster lessons at schools. Extensive experience in helping students attain the highest grades as quickly as possible in all age groups including KS3, GCSE, A-level, IB, BTEC, HNC, HND, Degree, PhD.  I've worked for extended periods with SEN (special educational needs) students that has included working with those who have autism, selective mutism, tourettes etc. Former Head of Physics and Head of Art at a local private college. Currently teaching HND Engineering and T Level Engineering at Exeter College. Recently, I have helped international students achieve the British Science Association CREST Gold award in Engineering; EPQ in Physics and pass the entrance exams for Eton College. I also teach at art groups via painting demonstrations and artist workshops.

Approach to tutoring:

Students and parents consistently report that my approach to tutoring is fast, fun and effective. Lessons are tuned to the needs of the individual student and I am always careful to start each topic at a level where the student is comfortable, progressing gradually so that the student feels at ease and learns quickly. Questions, no matter how simple or advanced, are always welcome. Whenever possible, I relate the lesson to a real-world situation or application and help students see the connections between different subjects and topics.

£55/hr · 10 subjects · 176 levels

Subjects & pricing

Physics

£55/hr

  • KS3, 13+, IB, Pre-U, National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher, University, Postgraduate, Adult, BTEC Level 1, BTEC Level 2, BTEC, Scottish Nationals
  • GCSEAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
  • IGCSECambridge · Edexcel · oxford-aqa
  • AS-level, A-levelAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · oxford-aqa · WJEC
  • EPQAQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
  • T-levelC&G · Edexcel · NCFE
  • BTEC Level 3Edexcel
  • GCSEAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
  • IGCSECambridge · Edexcel · oxford-aqa
  • AS-level, A-levelAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · oxford-aqa · WJEC
  • EPQAQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
  • T-levelC&G · Edexcel · NCFE
  • IB, Pre-U, National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher, University, Postgraduate, Adult, BTEC Level 1, BTEC Level 2, BTEC, Scottish Nationals
  • BTEC Level 3Edexcel

Languages

  • English Native

Qualifications

Higher education

  • PhD Physics Certificate checked University of Exeter · 1995
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics Certificate checked University of Exeter · 2:1 (Upper second) · 1991
  • BSc (Hons) Physics Certificate checked University of Exeter · 2:1 (Upper second) · 1991

Vocational / professional

  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training Certificate checked Exeter College / City and Guilds

Reviews from Tutorperch

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Reviews from First Tutors

5.0 19 from First Tutors

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The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.

  • Amani

    Jun 2025 ·imported from First Tutors

    I would like to thank Micheal so much for helping my son during his preparation for the end of year A level physics exams and making him more confident in the subject. I really appreciate how engaging and effective your tutorials were. My son was so lucky for having an amazing tutor. Micheal is so friendly, so organised and always creating supportive learning environment. His feedback and the lesson review after every single lesson does make everything clear for me and of for my son as well. I highly recommend Micheal . Much much appreciated! All the best.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Amani, it was a pleasure working with your son and seeing his dedication to his studies.

  • Sarah

    Jun 2025 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has made an excellent start with our son, building his confidence with physics in a structured and engaging way. He is highly responsive and provides screenshots of the lessons which our son can use to help with revision but which also provide confidence as parents in the topics being taught. We plan on using Mike over the coming year as our son heads into his A levels - would highly recommend him.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much for taking the time to write a review Sarah, much appreciated. Really enjoy working with your son and glad the lessons are helping. Looking forward to helping him progress further.

  • Vicki

    Jun 2025 ·imported from First Tutors

    Was very helpful at providing last minute revision support. Responded very quickly to messages.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Vicki, really enjoyed working with your son.

  • Philip

    May 2025 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has been instrumental in helping my son to progress and enjoy his physics. He has a calm, well paced and thorough way of teaching that helps builds confidence. His enjoyment of teaching comes across strongly in his explanations and he is happy to answer questions outside the lesson. He is an excellent teacher.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Phil, it's a pleasure working with your son.

  • Alison

    Dec 2024 ·imported from First Tutors

    Michael is an outstanding tutor and is really helping our son by quickly identifying areas that need improving and teaching in a way that our son said “connects” with him. Our son said that Michael has an in depth knowledge about pretty much everything and he feels he really knows his stuff and can communicate that clearly to our son which means he has improved and looks forward to the lessons.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Alison, lovely to hear that the lessons are helpful and it's a pleasure teaching your son. Thanks again.

  • Hannah

    Sept 2024 ·imported from First Tutors

    My son has been really impressed with Mike who explains Maths A level topics very clearly and is easy to speak to. I have found he gives good feedback to me as a parent. We highly recommend Mike.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Hannah, very pleased to hear that the lessons are proving helpful.

  • emmanuelle

    Mar 2024 ·imported from First Tutors

    Michael is patient and explains things really well which is no doubt down to his love of teaching as well as his expertise and experience in the subject. He is respectful and approachable and my son finds his lessons invaluable.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Emmanuelle, very much appreciated, it's a real please working with your son and great to see how motivated he is to learn. Thanks again

  • Andrew

    Dec 2023 ·imported from First Tutors

    Found an excellent tutor with Michael, he is one of the best around.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Andrew, much appreciated and great working with Amelia.

  • Jessica

    Sept 2023 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has been a fantastic Math and Science teacher! He is highly experienced and thorough in his teaching. Mike helped my son prepare for Eton's scholarship exam, which was very challenging. Not only was he able to explain difficult concepts, but he was also fantastic at keeping my son engaged and enjoying the learning process throughout this time. My son always finished Mike's classes with a sense of achievement. Mike is a first-rate tutor in every respect.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Jess, it was a real pleasure working with your son and I'm very pleased that he did so well in his exams and is now attending Eton. Thanks again :-)

  • Ethan

    Aug 2023 ·imported from First Tutors

    Really appreicate the help I was able to get!

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Ethan, great working with you and best wishes for the future!

  • Mel

    Apr 2023 ·imported from First Tutors

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Mel, glad to be of help and enjoy working with Fred.

  • Jennifer

    Nov 2022 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has been very helpful with our son with respect to his physics work. He is always organised, well prepared and very communicative. He is a pleasure to work with and our son finds the time with him very beneficial

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Jennifer, it's great working with Aidan and pleased to hear that the lessons are helpful.

  • Jamie

    Aug 2022 ·imported from First Tutors

    Our son Jamie has ASD, and goes to a special school in our town. Mike has taught Jamie maths and science for about 3 years now. Jamie loves the lessons and looks forward to Mike’s teacher’s visit each week! The lessons are fun and Mike is amazing at keeping Jamie’s attention. Each activity is tailored to make the lesson target fun and enjoyable to learn for Jamie! The level Jamie has attained is beyond our expectations! So Mike, if you are reading this, thank you very much!’

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much, that's great to hear and much appreciated. Always enjoy teaching Jamie and seeing him make progress. Thank you again.

  • Rebecca

    Jun 2022 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike was an excellent tutor and extremely helpful to me. No question was too small and he explains things in thorough detail. He’s also very flexible with timings and was able to do extra sessions with me as and when I want. Highly recommend.

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much, it was a pleasure working with you and very happy to have helped.

  • Kate

    Aug 2021 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike recently tutored two of our children, one of whom is studying engineering at university (and is therefore motivated to study maths) and the other of whom was taking GCSE maths and physics but lacked confidence in both (her particularly interests lying in the humanities). Mike therefore had to deal with two very different levels of ability/interest. He showed considerably ingenuity and adaptability in providing each student with methodologies and techniques. As a result, even the younger less interested one remained engaged in the tutorials. They both gained excellent grades. As a tutor, Mike is not only extremely knowledgeable in his field but he is also calm, patient and thoughtful in his approach, as well as being punctual and entirely trustworthy. Both have said that they would definitely ask Mike to tutor them again if ever needed. High praise indeed!

    Dr J. replied

    Hi Kate, Thanks very much for your feedback, really enjoyed working with both your children and very pleased to hear about the great results!! :-)

  • Sam

    Jul 2021 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has tutored my daughter at GCSE level, and now A-level mathematics. She has additional needs resulting in the mainstream education system letting her down. It looked like she was not going to be able to achieve any GCSEs, but Mike came along and helped her thrive. We were so impressed with his approach and flexibility to learning that we asked him to tutor my son in physics and mathematics at A-level. He assisted my son with AS, A-Level and Degree mathematics. He also assisted him in Step. Mike's adaptability enabled them both to learn in a way that encouraged out-of-the-box thinking and not being forced to learn a set method. I am incredibly impressed with Mike. He is an extremely reliable professional and I would not hesitate to recommend him to others, especially SEN students

    Dr J. replied

    It's a pleasure to teach both, glad to be of help. Thank you Sam.

  • Joanne

    Dec 2018 ·imported from First Tutors

    I can highly recommend Michael who came to my assistance in university at very short notice. He is a very knowledgeable and kind man who explained Maths in a way that was clear and easy to understand!

    Dr J. replied

    Thanks very much Joanne, much appreciated!

  • Nick

    Apr 2017 ·imported from First Tutors

    Mike has been extremely helpful troubleshooting some learning areas for my sons A Level studies. He had three one hour meetings and Mike was punctual, organised and professional. Would use Mike's tutelage again. Highly recommend.

    Dr J. replied

    Thank you very much Nick

  • Sian

    Jan 2017 ·imported from First Tutors

    Hi Mike I feel that its given a huge boost to Aidan's confidence, even after a few sessions with you. Hopefully, we can build on that this term. Thanks very much. Kind regards Sian

    Dr J. replied

    That's great to hear, thanks Sian :-)