Marc first qualified as a teacher of mathematics in 2008 after completing a PGCE at the University of Warwick. Time was then spent as a secondary school teacher, Head of Department, Teaching and Learning Lead, Specialist Leader of Education, Assistant Vice Principal (T&L), and Leader of School to School support. Alongside this, Marc completed his Masters in Mathematical education, leading to an interest and passion for educational research.
About Marc
Over time, this evolved into a deep interest in the psychology of learning, leading to completing a PhD between 2020 and 2025 at the University of Warwick in the Department of Psychology - whilst remaining a full-time teacher (yes, it was challenging, really really busy, and one of the most difficult things he could possibly have done). Marc now works as an Assistant Head-Teacher in a secondary school with responsibility for Teaching and Learning and CPD. He regularly gives talks about the research he has carried out and runs workshops about 'Positive Learning Psychology' (find out more on this throughout the website). In his spare time Marc likes to run - sometimes really long distances, play guitar, climb and spend time with his family.
Academic stuff
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Mathematics & Geography BSc. (University of Leeds, 2004)
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PGCE Mathematics (University of Warwick, 2008)
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Mathematics in Education MSc. (University of Warwick, 2013)
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PhD in Psychology (University of Warwick, 2025)​
Positive Learning Psychology
Over the course his research Marc started to think about how Successful Learning might be holistically viewed (in terms of 'important ingredients'). Often, it seems, within Education, Learning is viewed primarily as a Cognitive endeavour (e.g., Cognitive Load Theory; Sweller, 1998), and whilst this is undoubtably a vital component of Successful Learning, there is perhaps much more at play.​​​
Listen to Marc talk about Positive Learning Psychology on the Psychology in the Classroom Podcase with Lucinda Powell.
Listening to Learners: How Meaningful Talk Fuels Motivation and Achievement
Go to 26th November 2025
"In this episode we bridge the gap between classroom practice and psychological theory to share actionable strategies for fostering student success. Drawing on years of teaching experience to research at the University of Warwick, Marc breaks down what truly drives student engagement."
​Positive Learning Psychology views Successful Learning as a cyclic process with many considerations. Important elements include; Positive Psychology (e.g., Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Seligman et al., 2009), Self-Agentic Theory (Bandura, 2006), Goal-Setting Theory (Latham & Locke, 1991), Self-Regulated Learning Theory (Zimmerman & Schunk, 1989; Schunk & Zimmerman, 1994; Zimmerman, 1998), Hope Theory (Snyder, 2002), Self-Theories (Dweck, 2000) and Broaden and Build Theory (Fredrickson, 2001). ​
A visual outline of Marc's emergent Positive Learning Psychology is shown below (see also citations in the References section). Additionally (if you want the quick read), you can read a 3 page summary of Positive Learning Psychology by clicking here
The Website of Dr. Marc Skelton
Positive Learning Psychology
Background artwork by Lucy Myers-Skelton