

School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton
Beacon School Support
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Aug 13, 2023 • 12min
Quick-fire strategies: Can Visual Timetables Be Bad?
Explore the impact of visual timetables on student behavior and their effectiveness in supporting neurodiverse learners. Discover how visual timetables reduce anxiety and provide structure during transitions. However, find out about the potential negative effects of visual timetables for children with autism and the importance of individualized strategies.

Aug 6, 2023 • 11min
Quick-fire strategies: How Social Media Fuels Unkind Student Behaviour (And What To Do About It)
Explore the impact of social media on unkind student behavior and strategies to handle it. Understand the consequences of speaking cruelly to others and the lack of empathy in online communication. Learn how to interpret messages on social media and teach empathy for the digital age.

Jul 30, 2023 • 11min
Quick-fire strategies: Eliminating Dead Time in the Classroom
Learn how to eliminate 'dead time' in the classroom and improve student behavior. Discover the negative impact of dead time and strategies to keep students engaged. Explore alternative methods for giving out tasks and the importance of relevant extension tasks.

Jul 23, 2023 • 13min
Quick-fire strategies: Why Do Students Respond Differently to Similar Traumatic Events?
Ever wondered why similar traumatic events can have such different effects on the pupils we teach?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we unravel the intricate relationship between external events and internal responses and explore how our beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves impact our emotional well-being and behaviours.Important links:Get our FREE classroom management scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheet.phpJoin our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circle.phpDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources.phpSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 19, 2023 • 13min
Essentials: Beyond Praise - Strategies for Empowering Students and Improving Classroom Behaviour
Could clear expectations be the missing piece of the behaviour jigsaw in your classroom? In this Essentials episode, we explore the often overlooked impact of fairness and clear expectations on student behaviour.Classroom management expert Pamela Tseu unveils the power of teaching expectations using her proven five-step approach, so you can empower your students to succeed. Get ready to take your classroom management skills to the next level!Important links:See Pamela Tseu's 7 Classroom Management Tools.Click here for the full interview from episode 26.Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload other FREE SEMH resources to use in your school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 16, 2023 • 38min
Supporting Students' Mental Health: A 10-Step Approach with Gina Nelson
How can we effectively support students with anxiety? Join us as we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Gina Nelson, a licensed clinical social worker specialising in teen anxiety.In this episode of Behaviour Secrets, we delve into Gina's powerful 10-step process for reducing anxiety in young people and we uncover practical techniques that empower students with essential skills in managing their emotions and pave the way for a successful future.Important links:Click to view Gina's website 'Combating Teen Anxiety' hereClick to view Gina's facebook page 'Authentic Gains' hereGet our FREE Managing strong emotions guide:hereJoin our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circle.phpSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 12, 2023 • 16min
Essentials: How To Build Relationships with Hard-to-Reach Kids (With Kevin Hewitson)
Teaching a difficult class - or students who are disengaged from their learning? Want to motivate your students and have a set of practical steps you can take to transform classroom relationships from negative to positive?In this bitesize episode, Kevin Hewitson reveals the significance of belonging in the classroom and how it influences student behaviour, motivation, and overall well-being. He shares practical strategies (such as allocating responsibilities, encouraging feedback, and managing the student's voice) to create a sense of belonging that increases student engagement and paves the way for academic success.Important links:Get Kevin's book, If you can't reach them, you can't teach them.Click here for the full interview from episode 18.Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload other FREE SEMH resources to use in your school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 9, 2023 • 31min
Inside a Behaviour Tactics Webinar: Unveiling Secrets for Effective Classroom Management
How can teachers effectively manage classroom behaviour and support students with complex needs?Tune in to this exclusive episode of School Behaviour Secrets, where we take you inside one of our 'behaviour tactics webinars'. Discover the untold secrets and powerful strategies that will empower you to create a harmonious learning environment for all students (and teachers). Get ready to unlock the keys to successful classroom management!Important links:Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.phpGet our FREE Sensory Checklist: hereJoin our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circle.phpDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources.phpSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 5, 2023 • 13min
Essentials: ADHD Explained: What Every Teacher Needs to Know
In this Essentials episode, we give you a clear and concise explanation of what ADHD is, how it commonly affects children, and what behaviours teachers can expect to see in the classroom from students with ADHD.All with the aim of helping you support your students successfully in the classroom... and use proactive strategies that respond to the individual needs of your students.Important links:Click here for the full interview from episode 13.Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload other FREE SEMH resources to use in your school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesSchool leaders: Join us at the National SEMH Conference (October 2026)It's a whole day focused on the real SEMH, behaviour and inclusion pressures facing schools - and what leaders can do next. Plus, right now you can get Super Early Bird tickets at £250 - find out more and book your place here.

Jul 2, 2023 • 23min
ELDR: A Simple 4 Part Framework for De-Escalation Success
Discover the key components of successful de-escalation in schools, including the physiological changes in the brain during dysregulation. Learn about a brand new four-part framework for effective de-escalation. Explore the challenges faced by adults in resolving school incidents and the importance of repairing relationships in conflict resolution.


