Introducing Our Specialist Staff ...
In addition to our wonderful class teachers and teaching assistants, we are proud to have a team of specialist staff who bring their expertise and passion to enrich our children’s learning. Having specialists means children benefit from expert knowledge, engaging opportunities, and a broad, well-rounded education.
Music
Mrs Bennett brings music to life for every child in our school, teaching engaging lessons that spark creativity and joy. From lively drumming sessions to beautiful singing and the unique sound of belle plates, she helps pupils explore rhythm, melody, and performance with confidence. Her passion for music shines through every lesson, encouraging children to express themselves, work together, and develop skills that last a lifetime. For the past two years, we have been privileged to be able to showcase our children’s musical success at the world-class Pamoja Hall (Sevenoaks School). Under Mrs Bennett’s guidance, every child has a voice and music is not just a subject – it’s an experience that inspires and unites our school community.
In addition to Mrs Bennett, Mr Lawrence teaches our Year 4 Owls class the ukulele. The ukulele offers children a fun and accessible way to make music while developing a wide range of skills. Building confidence quickly, children start playing songs and reading musical notation after just a few lessons. Most importantly, it makes music enjoyable and achievable for all!
Dance and Drama
Having a specialist dance and drama teacher like Mrs Doll brings a vibrant and creative energy to our school. Her expertise allows children to develop confidence, coordination, and communication skills through engaging, high-quality lessons. Whether it’s learning choreography, exploring character through role-play, or performing in front of an audience, Mrs Doll creates opportunities for every child to shine. Dance and drama not only support physical fitness and creativity but also build teamwork, resilience, and self-belief – skills that benefit pupils far beyond the stage.
Drama is an important part of life at St Katharine’s. In addition to Mrs Doll’s workshops, each year children perform in Nativities (YR, Y1 and Y2), an Easter play (Y4 and Y3) and a summer production (Y6 and Y5).
ELSA
Mrs Brooker is our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and she works with children to help them understand and manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, and build confidence. This can include supporting children through challenges such as anxiety, friendship issues, low self-esteem, or coping with change. Using a nurturing, one-to-one or small group approach, Mrs Brooker helps children develop practical strategies for resilience and emotional wellbeing, so they can engage more fully with their learning. Her role is all about providing a safe, supportive space where children feel heard, valued, and equipped to thrive both in and out of the classroom. In addition, Mrs Brooker teaches PSHE across all KS2, classes bringing a unique depth and warmth to the subject. With expertise in emotional literacy and wellbeing, she guides children through important topics such as relationships, resilience, diversity, and mental health with sensitivity and understanding. This specialist approach ensures that lessons are not only informative but also supportive, helping children to connect learning with their own experiences. It creates a safe, trusting environment where children feel comfortable to share, reflect, and develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive both in school and in life.
French
Having a specialist French teacher – Mme Hanna – deliver weekly lessons in Years 4, 5 and 6, ensures pupils receive high-quality, accurate language teaching from someone with expert knowledge and fluency. This specialist approach brings the language and culture to life through engaging activities, correct pronunciation, and a strong understanding of how to build language skills step-by-step. It helps children develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in French, while also fostering curiosity about other cultures. Early exposure to a new language broadens horizons, strengthens memory, and lays the foundation for successful language learning in secondary school and beyond.
Forest School
Mr Early just loves being out in the forest and we are privileged to have our own on-site forest school. Having a specialist Forest School Leader enriches children’s learning by opening up unique opportunities for hands-on, outdoor exploration. With expert knowledge of nature-based learning, he guides children in developing practical skills such as shelter building, fire lighting, and tool use, all while fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. Forest School sessions also support wellbeing, giving children space to connect with the natural world, build confidence, and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment. Mr Early’s specialist input ensures outdoor learning is safe, engaging, and deeply rewarding for every child.
Visit our Forest School page to find out more!
