Dorothee

As Head of Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics I have an excellent record in achieving top A-level and GCSE results with diverse pupils from a range of different backgrounds. During my 35-year teaching career I have inspired a genuine passion for the subject and successfully encouraged my learners to stretch themselves and to develop academic ambitions. I have gained extensive experience in supporting neuro-diverse learners, in teaching gifted and talented pupils, in creating a variety of resources and using a range of teaching methods that 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, selective girls’ school. My examination 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 support A-level pupils preparing for any of the current RS examinations, although I have in recent years specialised in teaching the Philosophy, Ethics, and Developments in Christian Thought units of the OCR specification.

I resigned from my position as Head of Department because I want to move away from classroom teaching and focus instead on supporting individual learners which I have always found especially rewarding. Apart from RS subject tutoring, I am currently working as a reading coach with primary school pupils and adult learners at City Lit, as well as pursuing my own studies of Buddhism. I am interested in career opportunities as examiner and moderator and have been approved to be a GCSE examiner for the 2025 examination cycle.

I grew up in Germany and after my A-levels (in Chemistry, Geography, English and Pedagogy) I moved to London to study Theology and Philosophy in a multicultural environment. I completed my PGCE course at Cambridge University and did my teaching practice at The Leys School, Cambridge (at the time a boys' only boarding school). Since then, I have been living and teaching in Central and South London. 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; reading coach at City Lit 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.