School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton

Beacon School Support
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Are you a teacher, a SENCo or a school leader? Want research-backed strategies for supporting students who find it hard to manage their emotions or behaviour? Want practical ways of supporting pupils with special needs like autism, ADHD, FASD or attachment disorder? Want tried-and-tested classroom management strategies that will work with that ‘tricky class’? Then you’re in the right place. Welcome to the School Behaviour Secrets podcast where we’ll answer ALL these questions and so much more! Week after week, your hosts Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton share the secrets to behaviour success that every teacher and school leader should know, all based on their decades of experience supporting real teachers and real students in real classrooms. But that’s not all...We also interview thought leaders from the world of education so you can hear NEW insights that could hold the key to unlocking your students’ potential. Whether it’s managing the whole class, helping kids with behavioural SEN, or whole school strategy - we’ve got you covered. Are you in? Brilliant. Because this is YOUR CHANCE to get unstuck, hear from the experts, feel inspired and start seeing more positive behaviour in your classroom again. So hit that subscribe button... and let’s get started!

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    How to protect your emotional wellbeing in 5 minutes a day or less

    Ever get to Friday and feel like your emotional battery’s is fried? You’re not alone. Working in education — especially when supporting pupils with SEMH needs — means carrying other people’s emotions all day long. By the end of the week, you’re not just tired, you’re emotionally done. In this shorter half-term quickfire episode, we dive into the emotional side of teaching — and how to protect your emotional wellbeing in just five minutes a day. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to help your nervous system switch off after a long day of teaching, so you can recharge and stop carrying classroom stress home with you. And there’s a twist — because this isn’t just about personal wellbeing. We’ll explore why this is an essential leadership priority too. Because calm adults create calm classrooms — and when we ignore teacher wellbeing, we undermine every other behaviour strategy we’re using in school. Along the way, expect honesty, practical advice, and a strong opinion about smoked kippers (you’ve been warned). So whether you’re a teacher, SENCO, or school leader, this episode is your reminder that protecting your own calm isn’t selfish — it’s part of the job. Important links: Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbook Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    12 min

  2. 19 OCT

    Connection Before Correction: 3 Ways To Make It Work In Your Classroom

    “Connection before correction” has become a bit of a buzz phrase in education — but what does it actually mean in a real classroom? How do you do it in the middle of a behaviour incident, when stress levels are high and pupils seem least open to connection? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, Simon Currigan unpacks the science and the practice behind this powerful idea. Drawing on the work of psychologists Dan Hughes and Kim Golding, as well as what we know about the autonomic nervous system and the impact of stress on the brain, he explains why connection isn’t a soft option — it’s a strategy grounded in biology. You’ll discover: Why correction fails when pupils are dysregulated and the amygdala takes over.How connection to a calm adult acts as a buffer, helping pupils regain access to the thinking part of the brain.The role of the PAIN framework (Primary Areas of Internal Need) in fuelling stress and behaviour challenges.Why some pupils — especially those affected by trauma or ACEs — resist connection, even though they need it most.Practical ways to use the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) to connect with students in the moment, before moving to correction or problem-solving. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear picture of how “connection before correction” works in practice — and why it’s often the missing link between repeated conflict and lasting behaviour change.  If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried consequences, I’ve tried reasoning, but nothing sticks,” this episode will give you a new lens for seeing behaviour — and a toolkit for building calmer, safer classrooms. Important links: Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbook Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    19 min

  3. 12 OCT

    Why Isolation Rooms Don’t Work (And What Schools Should Be Doing Instead)

    Summary Do isolation rooms really work? And if they do… why do we see the same pupils sitting in them day after day? In this episode, we dig into why – for many pupils - isolation rooms don’t change behaviour - and what schools can do instead to support the students who repeatedly end up there. You’ll discover: Why isolation can make behaviour worse (not better)What’s really driving repeat incidents (and how to spot it using the PAIN framework)How to shift from “respite" to “repair" using the R3 approach - and create spaces that build regulation, not resentmentIf your school uses isolation or internal exclusion, this episode will help you rethink how to make it work for pupils, not against them. Important links: Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbook Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    26 min

  4. 5 OCT

    The Truth About Consistency: Why It’s Hard and How to Nail It

    Consistency across classrooms isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s the foundation of your school culture. When pupils see one teacher give a warning, another skip straight to sanctions, and a third ignore the same behaviour completely, the message is clear: the rules don’t really matter. For children with SEMH needs, that unpredictability can even fuel anxiety, dysregulation, and mistrust. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we dig into why consistency is so hard to achieve in schools and why even the best policies fail without it. You’ll learn how the Beckhard-Harris change equation explains resistance to new approaches—and why accountability is the missing ingredient most schools overlook. Plus, we’ll show you how to balance predictability with professional judgement, so staff don’t feel like robots while still pulling in the same direction. Most importantly, we share practical steps school leaders can use right now: building “useful dissatisfaction,” co-creating a clear vision, breaking change into small, achievable first steps, and embedding supportive accountability. If you want to transform behaviour culture, reduce stress for staff, and create safety for pupils, this episode will show you exactly how to make consistency stick. Links:  Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE  Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page  NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    28 min

  5. 28 SEPT

    Ofsted’s 2025 Shake-Up: 5 Questions Every School Leader Should Be Asking About Behaviour and SEMH

    From November 2025, inclusion, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing are set to take centre stage during Ofsted inspections. But what does this mean for schools in practice – especially when it comes to supporting SEMH?  In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we unpack the key changes in the new framework and answer the questions school leaders and teachers are already asking. Will Ofsted finally “get” SEMH? How will inspectors judge behaviour when it looks different for pupils with additional needs? And what does “exceptional” practice actually look like under the new rules?  More importantly, you’ll discover the practical steps you can take now to prepare your policies, staff, and systems – so you’re inspection-ready and future-ready. If you want clarity on what Ofsted’s new approach really means for behaviour and SEMH in your school, this episode is for you. Links:  Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE  Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page  NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    23 min

  6. 21 SEPT

    ADHD in Girls: Why It’s Missed and What Teachers Can Do

    When we think of ADHD, most people picture the stereotype: a restless boy bouncing off the walls, blurting out answers, unable to sit still. But here’s the problem - that picture is incomplete. And because of it, thousands of girls with ADHD are being missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.  In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we share why ADHD often looks different in girls, how history and diagnostic tools built on boys’ behaviours still shape who gets recognised today, and why masking makes it even harder to see what’s going on. Drawing on research from the UK, US, and Sweden, he unpacks the hidden reasons why girls are diagnosed years later than boys - often only after anxiety or depression take hold.  More importantly, you’ll learn what teachers can do right now: how to spot the red flags, support girls who may be masking, and put in place ADHD-friendly classroom strategies without waiting for a diagnosis.  If you’ve ever taught a pupil who seems bright but scattered, sensitive yet disorganised, or “fine” at school but falling apart at home, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.  Links:  Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE  Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page  NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    19 min

  7. 14 SEPT

    Why De-escalation Isn’t Enough (And What To Do Instead)

    Ever tried every de-escalation strategy in the book—calm voice, supportive stance, soothing words—only to watch a student keep spiralling? The problem isn’t you. The problem is that de-escalation on its own isn’t enough.  In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal why de-escalation so often fails in the heat of the moment, and introduce a new way of thinking about pupil behaviour: the PAINs framework (Primary Areas of Internal Need). Discover the five hidden stressors that keep kids dysregulated—physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and prosocial—and how to compensate for them so pupils don’t tip into crisis in the first place.  If you’re tired of firefighting meltdowns and want practical strategies to prevent them instead, this episode is packed with insights you can use in your classroom tomorrow.  Links:  Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE  Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page  NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    22 min

  8. 09/12/2024

    The Myth of 1:1 Support: Why 1:1 Support Isn’t Always the Answer for SEMH Success in Schools

    Are one-to-one teaching assistants really the best way to support students with SEMH needs? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we explore the myth of 1:1 support and its unintended consequences for schools and students. Discover why this topic resonates with teachers and SENCOs working to support pupils with a high level of need and how rethinking your approach could empower independence and resilience in a more sustainable way. Important links: CHECK OUT BEHAVIOUR 360 today if you want a joined up approach to SEMH in your school, with instant access to flexible, on-demand training: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/behaviour_360.php Pop over to our YouTube channel where you can subscribe and keep up to date with any new releases. Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbook Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources.php NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture. To learn more and book your free place, visit: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk

    26 min
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Are you a teacher, a SENCo or a school leader? Want research-backed strategies for supporting students who find it hard to manage their emotions or behaviour? Want practical ways of supporting pupils with special needs like autism, ADHD, FASD or attachment disorder? Want tried-and-tested classroom management strategies that will work with that ‘tricky class’? Then you’re in the right place. Welcome to the School Behaviour Secrets podcast where we’ll answer ALL these questions and so much more! Week after week, your hosts Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton share the secrets to behaviour success that every teacher and school leader should know, all based on their decades of experience supporting real teachers and real students in real classrooms. But that’s not all...We also interview thought leaders from the world of education so you can hear NEW insights that could hold the key to unlocking your students’ potential. Whether it’s managing the whole class, helping kids with behavioural SEN, or whole school strategy - we’ve got you covered. Are you in? Brilliant. Because this is YOUR CHANCE to get unstuck, hear from the experts, feel inspired and start seeing more positive behaviour in your classroom again. So hit that subscribe button... and let’s get started!

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