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. 4D AGO

    Why “Be More Assertive” Is Bad Advice – And What Actually Works in Classrooms

    Teachers are often told they need to be “more assertive” in the classroom. But what does that actually mean when behaviour starts to wobble, pressure rises, and everyone’s watching? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn what assertiveness really looks like in practice - and why it isn’t about being louder, stricter, or more dominant. Instead, it’s about clarity, calm and making better decisions before you even open your mouth. You’ll explore why many behaviour confrontations escalate because adults are focused on “winning” the moment, and how redefining what success looks like can lead to calmer classrooms and fewer repeat issues over time. The episode breaks assertiveness down into clear, practical strategies you can use straight away, including how to steady your body language, adjust your voice, give instructions that don’t invite debate, and choose the right moment to follow things up. If you work in a classroom and want behaviour to improve without damaging relationships, escalating situations, or feeling emotionally drained, this episode will give you a simple, usable framework to take into your next lesson. Important links: Get your copy of the Classroom Management Scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheet Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    26 min

  2. FEB 2

    The SENCO Bottleneck: Why the Role Is Becoming Impossible in Caring Schools

    In many schools, the SENCO role has become the pressure point where everything ends up - SEND, SEMH, behaviour, parent concerns, paperwork and managing crises and pupil outbursts. And when that happens, how SEND and SEMH is supported across the school starts to break down. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn why the SENCO job has become increasingly difficult even in caring, well-intentioned schools - and why this isn’t about individual failure. You’ll see how a range of factors have unintentionally made the role of SENCO the single point of SEND failure in schools. And how this affects classroom practice, consistency of support and long-term sustainability for pupils with complex needs in school. Most importantly, you’ll come away with a clearer way of thinking about the role - and how we need to redefine it - so it’s fit for purpose moving forwards. All without adding additional stress to hard-working SENCOs or burning them out. If you care about inclusion and want SENCO support that’s sustainable, this episode is for you. 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 Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    26 min

  3. JAN 26

    7 Reasons Why Good Behaviour Policies Fail in Good Schools (And What Leaders Miss)

    On paper, your behaviour policy makes sense… so why doesn’t it work in every classroom - and for every pupil? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn the 7 reasons why good behaviour policies often fail in good schools - even when leaders care, staff are committed and the intentions are right. Drawing on nearly two decades of work with real schools, we unpack the hidden reasons behaviour policies stumble: why copying “best practice” from other settings can backfire, why consistency breaks down under pressure and what happens when policies are launched but never truly embedded into everyday practice. If you’re a school leader or teacher trying to build a behaviour policy that staff actually use, trust, and stick to when things get difficult, this episode will help you stress-test your thinking and understand how to embed an effective policy in your school. Important links: Get our FREE Reducing Exclusions Checklist: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/exclusions-checklist.php Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    26 min

  4. JAN 19

    Restorative Conversations Don’t Work for Every Pupil - Here’s How to Fix That

    Restorative conversations are everywhere in schools right now. They’re written into behaviour policies, referenced in Ofsted language, and promoted as the gold standard for repairing harm and building accountability. But what happens when those conversations don’t work - especially for pupils with SEND? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn why: ·         standard restorative conversations can break down for pupils with communication difficulties, empathy differences, trauma histories or rejection sensitive dysphoria ·         what restorative practice assumes about children’s skills, why some pupils struggle to access those conversations ·         how to adapt your approach so it remains inclusive, fair, and effective - without lowering expectations or abandoning accountability If you’ve ever walked away from a “restorative” conversation thinking, ”that didn’t change anything”, this episode will give you the practical strategies you’ve been missing. Important links: Download our FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    23 min

  5. JAN 12

    Behaviour, SEMH and Inclusion in 2026: What’s Really Coming Next

    In 2026 the government is going to make big changes in how schools handle behaviour, SEMH and inclusion. The question is: are we ready for what that actually means? In this episode, we makes a series of predictions about where the system is heading next year - not based on politics or policy promises, but on how schools really work when money, policy and classroom reality collide. Some of these predictions may make you uncomfortable. Others may feel uncomfortably familiar. But if you want a grounded, experience-led perspective on what’s coming - and how to lead through it without burning out - this episode will help you see 2026 more clearly before it arrives. Share your thoughts on these predictions (or share your own!) through Linked In or Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-currigan/  https://www.facebook.com/beaconschoolsupport Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    21 min

  6. JAN 5

    The 4 SEMH Myths That Are Making Behaviour In School Worse

    Some of the most damaging ideas about behaviour in schools don’t sound wrong. They sound kind. They sound scientific. They sound progressive. And that’s exactly why they stick. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, Simon Currigan unpacks four popular SEMH myths that are quietly making behaviour worse - not because people mean badly, but because good ideas have been overstretched, oversimplified, and misunderstood. You’ll explore: Why children do still make choices - even when emotions run highThe truth about trauma-informed practice (and why it doesn’t lower expectations)Why consequences matter even when they don’t “fix” behaviourWhy SEMH can’t replace behaviour systems - and what happens when schools tryThis isn’t about winning arguments. It’s about clearing away the half-truths that sabotage classrooms and replacing them with thinking that actually works. If you’re a teacher or school leader who wants calmer classrooms, fairer systems and a better understanding of what’s really going on underneath behaviour, this episode will give you clarity - not slogans. 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 Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    28 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    The January Reset: How To Use The Fresh Start Effect To Transform Classroom Behaviour

    The first week of January isn’t just “back to school” - it’s one of the most effective behaviour intervention points of the entire year. In this episode, we explore how to harness the psychology of the Fresh Start Effect to reset classroom routines, rebuild relationships and help pupils begin the new term with confidence rather than shame. You’ll discover: • Why January works better than September for behaviour resets • How to create whole-class “New Year resolutions” that shift identity, not just rules • A powerful symbolic activity to help individual pupils let go of last term’s mistakes • How to rebuild safety and trust with pupils who struggled in the autumn • Practical ways to re-teach routines, reduce sensory overload and reset the emotional climate • How January can lower PAIN-driven stress and improve SEMH outcomes across the class Whether you’re a teacher, SENCO or school leader, this episode gives you a clear, needs-led roadmap for starting the term calmer and more connected - so your pupils can thrive from day one. Perfect for any school looking to make January feel like a true fresh start, not “September, part two.” 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 Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    25 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    RSD and ADHD: The Hidden Trigger Behind Sudden Classroom Meltdowns

    When a pupil goes from “fine” to “furious” because you asked them to correct one sentence, it’s easy to think they’re overreacting. But for many children with ADHD, even small corrections can feel like rejection - triggering intense emotional pain known as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn what RSD actually is, why it’s so strongly linked with ADHD, and how it shows up in the classroom through explosive moments, sudden shutdowns, perfectionism, or quiet withdrawal. You’ll learn how feedback can unintentionally trigger RSD, why some pupils take even gentle corrections to heart, and the practical shifts teachers can make to reduce distress, support emotional regulation, and keep expectations high. We also share two simple strategies you can use this week to prevent blow-ups and help pupils feel safe enough to learn. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why did they react like that?” - this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need. 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 Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in Bradford Where you'll learn practical ways to equip your team to handle SEMH challenges with confidence - so you can move from firefighting to a calm, consistent whole-school approach. Register now.

    22 min
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About

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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