Mr Shepherd - DHT & Pastoral Lead

We have a wonderful ‘Pastoral team’ here at school who all play their part in ensuring that we at school do our best to serve the school community both within the building’s walls and beyond them. The team and their roles can be further explained by the document at the top of the page. Please take the time to read their ‘pen portraits’ and watch their videos.   Whilst all members of the team have different roles and responsibilities, we all work very closely together-often roles and needs can overlap. And indeed, whilst all roles are different, we all work towards a common goal-which is to serve the community in which we work

 Mrs Sarah Pay- AHT and SENDCO

I am Sarah Pay. I am part of the pastoral team and also SENCO and Assistant Head here at Benton Park.  My role is to promote inclusion, ensure the needs of SEND pupils are well met by firstly understanding those needs, carefully coordinating appropriate provision, advising and supporting staff and ensuring appropriate referrals are made to agencies who can provide further expertise and support where needed.   I work closely with families and, alongside Claire Scott, am in the progress of starting up our Safe Spaces coffee mornings where parents of SEND pupils can meet together regularly.    We have strong links with a wide range of external professionals to ensure our children are well supported, able to make good progress and can enjoy their time at our school.   If you think your child is experiencing difficulties then please feel free to contact me directly.   Please see the SEN section of our website for more information about how our school supports children with SEND.   

Hello! I am Nick Shepherd. I head up the Pastoral team as well as being the Deputy Head Teacher at Benton Park Primary School.   I have worked at Benton Park now for fourteen years and I have seen many changes. One constant has been the sense of community and togetherness that I have witnessed between staff, children and their parents.  

Ms Emma Collins - Pupil Support 

Hi, I am Emma Collins, Benton Park's Pupil Pastoral Support Worker.  My role is to support children with their Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), behaviours and relationships. As we know, we all have mental health and have a whole host of emotions which can vary from day-to-day, hour-byhour. I work to provide a space for children to express their emotions, recognise their emotions and to learn how to cope and deal with these feelings as they are all normal!  To do this, I work with children, mostly in friendship groups with similar issues, or I check-in on the children’s well-being on and off the playground or I can work on a one-to-one basis. We find ourselves playing with sand, painting or drawing, doodling, playing games, making journals or glittery mood bottles or anything the children ask for – within reason! It can be very messy at times but I like to make it a fun place to be! I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year here and I hope your children have enjoyed this year so far too!  Thank you.  

Mrs Carly Steinmetz - Family Support

Hello, my name is Carly Steinmetz and I am the new Family Support Worker at Benton Park Primary School.

My role is to support families by offering guidance, advice, and a listening ear to help with any challenges that may arise during a child’s time at our school.

I have a passion for working with children and families and have previously supported in multiple schools, as well as with a local children’s charity, where I provided family support. As a parent of two primary school-aged children myself, I understand the joys and challenges of school life and am here to help however I can.

Whether you need support with school routines, attendance, wellbeing, or just someone to talk to, I’m always happy to help. Please feel free to reach out – my door is always open!