Meet Dan Mackley, Teacher and Coach
Dan began his journey at Esher Sixth Form College as a Trainee Teacher in September 2022. Although he had completed a degree in Physical Education many years prior, Dan’s career initially took a different path.

Dan spent his early career years in corporate sales and event management. Before too long, he was drawn back to the world of sport becoming increasingly involved in junior sports coaching. Dan was also delivering training to individuals and groups in their professional role. This combination of experiences inspired him to merge his passion for sports coaching and training with education, ultimately pursuing a career as a teacher.
What do you enjoy about teaching Sport and PE?
Sports coaching offers students an opportunity to express themselves with confidence in a sporting environment, where they may not have the same confidence in a classroom. I will often try to get across the message to students that there are clear employability skills being developed through sports coaching.
For me, seeing students improve their confidence for public speaking by coaching to their peers, develop their time management and planning skills through preparation of coaching sessions, develop their ability to give instruction and feedback and enhance their presentation skills brings me enjoyment.
What sport do you love and why?
Running. I have always run and whenever I am away for weekends or holidays, I always go for a run to get a feel for a local area. I need to run in amongst the trees and nature; Esher Woods, Oxshott Common or Bushy Park for me.
What skills or attributes do you look for in your players/ team?
I have coached both football and netball at Esher college. I always hope that players enjoy themselves. I like players to buy into a team / squad spirit where we play for each other, fighting for our teammates and giving support and encouragement to each other.
What was your most successful moment as a coach of the netball team?
We haven’t won anything as of yet, but I am really proud of building a squad who have successfully gelled together and who are consistent in their attendance and dedication to training and to matches each week.
What words of wisdom would you give your 16 year old self?
I would urge my 16 year old self to be bold and to try new things and to learn as many new skills as I could, and to not put barriers in place to my own learning.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
I probably would have been an osteopath or a physiotherapist. Something that built on my sports degree and that opened a door into working with sports teams.