Dorothee

During my 35-year teaching career I have successfully encouraged my learners to stretch themselves and to develop academic ambition. I have extensive experience in supporting both, neuro-diverse learners and gifted and talented pupils. I create varied resources and use a range of teaching methods to enable all my learners to fulfil their potential.

In my role as Head of Department, I built up a popular and successful RS department at Queen's College, London, a prestigious, independent girls’ school. My GCSE and A-level pupils achieved outstanding results year in year out and many went on to successfully study subject-related courses at Russell Group universities and Oxbridge. I supported their applications by advising on personal statements, writing teacher references, and running Oxbridge preparation courses for interviews and entrance tests in Philosophy and Theology.

I have in-depth knowledge of all the main RS GCSE examination specifications and am currently tutoring pupils for the AQA GCSE and the Edexcel IGCSE. I have an extensive and broad subject knowledge and am able to prepare A-level pupils for any of the current RS examinations. I am currently tutoring pupils in the Philosophy, Ethics, and Developments in Christian Thought units of the OCR A-level specification.

I have always found it especially rewarding to support individual learners and that is why, in addition to RS subject tutoring, I am working as a reading coach with primary school pupils and adult learners. I am interested in career opportunities as an examiner and moderator and have been approved to be a GCSE examiner for the 2025 examination cycle.

I have a current Enhanced DBS Certificate and a Safeguarding Adults Level 1 Certificate.

Tutoring Experience

Since 2024 Private tutor of GCSE and A-level RS students; volunteering as reading coach at Morley College for the Adult Literacy Trust and in St Saviour's C of E Primary School, Herne Hill, London.
2008-2024 Head of Department for Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics at Queen's College, London (independent, selective girls' school).
1991-2008 Teacher of Religious Studies at Queen's College, London, part-time from 1994 whilst bringing up my own children, gaining experience in learning support, and training for the Hornsby Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia.
2003 Part-time one-to-one learning support: teaching literacy skills at a primary school in Wimbledon and study skills at Emanuel School, London, (independent, selective, co-educational school).
2002 Part-time learning support assistant for a four-year old boy with autism at The Mustard Seed, Christian Pre-School, Herne Hill, London.
1989-1990 Teacher of Religious Studies at Hayes School, Bromley (coeducational, comprehensive school).
Jan-April 1989 PGCE teaching practice: teaching RS across the year groups at The Leys School, Cambridge

My teaching experience includes:
*Preparing prospective Theology and Philosophy students for Oxbridge interviews and entrance examinations.
*Supporting UCAS applications and advising on personal statements.
*Participating in the 11+ assessment and interviewing process.
*EPQ supervisor.
*Offering workshops for Sixth Form academic extension programs at Queen's College, London, in association with Wetherby School and for the SSLP (Southwark School's Learning Partnership).
*Running workshops on revision techniques for colleagues and pupils.
*Teaching a mindfulness course for stress reduction.
*Training as a non-directive, goal- and action-orientated learning coach.

Tutoring Approach

In my experience pupils tend to have a lot more potential than they think. The key to success is usually lots of practice and a more effective teaching and learning style. That is why I always begin with an initial consultation in which I assess the learner, listen to their concerns, aspirations and goals and ask them to reflect on any learning strategies which were useful in the past. I then design a study scheme tailored to the specific needs of the pupil.

I am able to draw on a large stock of teaching and learning resources which I have created over the years. I plan every lesson thoroughly and use a variety of activities in each tutoring session to make it engaging, interactive, and enjoyable. I create an atmosphere in which learners feel able to bring questions into the session, to ask for clarification, and give feedback on the usefulness of resources. I build up my learners' confidence and sense of achievement by setting specific, manageable targets, by providing lots of opportunities to practise sample exam questions and improve discursive essay writing skills.

I give detailed and formative feedback on work produced in the lesson. I encourage my learners to try out a variety of revision techniques which they can then use to consolidate their learning outside the tutorial. I teach examination skills and I can advise on ways of coping mindfully with exam nerves. I keep parents/carers regularly informed about student progress.

Recent testimonials:

"We’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Mrs Gumpert as a tutor for my daughter in preparation for her GCSEs, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. Her depth of knowledge in Religious Education is outstanding, and she has consistently demonstrated incredible patience and dedication. Not only has my daughter’s confidence and understanding in the subject grown immensely, but her enthusiasm for learning has been reignited. Mrs Gumpert also made a real effort to keep me informed every step of the way, providing regular updates on progress and areas of focus, which I truly appreciate." Mrs P

"Mrs Gumpert brings the subject to live; her teaching style is engaging and motivating. She believed that I would achieve success and gave me confidence. She provided constructive feedback through precise and careful marking. I would have never been able to achieve an A* in PTE without her support." Anna

"Having Mrs Gumpert as my RS GCSE teacher has given me a lot more confidence in my ability. She was always happy to answer my questions and to help me improve my essays. I was very surprised on results day to see that I got a 9! But of course, I was very happy." Elsie