

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

Jun 28, 2023 • 13min
ESSENTIALS: From "I am not safe" to "I am safe": Helping Children Overcome Attachment Issues with Catherine Young
Are you aware of the impact of early relationships on student behaviour? In this Essentials episode, we sit down with attachment specialist and author Catherine Young, to explore the profound impact of attachment on children's lives and learning.In this episode, you'll learn practical strategies for helping children develop secure attachments. and insights about the pivotal role teachers play in fostering secure attachments and promoting healthy emotional development.Important links:Click here for the full interview from episode 8.M-MAT Attachment Therapy website: https://www.m-mat.org/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.

Jun 25, 2023 • 22min
Unlocking Social Skills: Exploring the Power of LEGO® Therapy
Can LEGO® therapy provide a solution for neurodivergent children seeking support in social and emotional development?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we interview Gina Gomez de la Cuesta, a clinical psychologist and expert in LEGO® therapy. Together we discuss how, through collaborative LEGO® building, children can learn communication, problem-solving, and social skills.Important links:Click to view The Brick-by Brick® Website hereClick to view a short video about this approach hereClick to visit the Play Included Facebook page hereGet our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.

Jun 21, 2023 • 12min
ESSENTIALS: Unlocking The Secrets Of Successful Break Times (with Tim Davies)
Lunchtimes and playtimes can often be the spark for challenging behaviour in schools - and resolving those issues can often spill over into lesson time. So how can we encourage positive behaviour from all our students at break time?In this essentials episode, Tim Davies shares practical steps and strategies (and cost-effective solutions) for making this happen in your school... and the positive impact you'll see on behaviour and relationships as a result.Important links:Click here for the full interview from episode 6.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.

Jun 18, 2023 • 27min
Understanding Executive Functions: Key Skills for Success
What are executive functions and how do they affect student behaviour in school?Join us in this episode of School Behaviour Secrets as we explore the connection between executive functions and ADHD. Discover how these key functions influence behaviour and learn effective strategies for supporting students in your school today.Important links:Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.

Jun 14, 2023 • 14min
Small Interventions, Big Differences: Supporting Children Affected By Parental Mental Illness with Helena Kulikowska
In this Essentials episode of School Behaviour Secrets, Helena Kulikowska shares practical insights on supporting children affected by their parent's mental health.She reveals the power of simple interventions and student-teacher empathy that can make a significant difference in their lives - and shares practical strategies that can make a profound difference for pupils affected by this issue.Important links:Click here for the full interview from episode 34.Visit the Our Time website for more ideas and resources: https://ourtime.org.uk/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.

Jun 11, 2023 • 25min
Writing With Mindfulness: Nurturing Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience in Students With Laura Bean
Can combining writing with meditation and mindfulness really help students to show more self-compassion and improve their ability to understand their own emotions?In this School Behaviour Secrets episode, we interview Educational Wellness Consultant, Laura Bean. Together, we discuss the benefits of mindfulness and how these moments can be used to support pupils with Social, Emotional Mental Health needs.Important links:Visit Laura's Mindful Literacy website hereBuy Laura's book - Write to the Core hereGet our FREE managing strong emotions guide: hereGet our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.phpJoin 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.

Jun 7, 2023 • 11min
Unravelling Sensory Secrets: How Sensory Needs Impact On Behaviour and Learning (with Lindsey Biel)
In this Essentials episode, we delve into the impact of sensory issues on behaviour and learning in the classroom - and discover why sensory needs can be related to dysregulation in our pupils.Award-winning occupational therapist Lyndsey Biel explains why addressing our students' sensory needs is key to their success - and shares practical solutions for meeting those needs in the classroom.Important links:Click here for the full interview from episode 30.Lindsey's SensorySmarts websiteLindsey's book: Raising A Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing IssuesGet our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.

Jun 4, 2023 • 30min
How To Win With SEMH Strategy And Ofsted
Schools invest considerable time, effort, and energy in supporting pupils with SEMH needs. However, the question remains: How do you ensure that this tremendous dedication is recognised?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we explore the key elements of an effective and collaborative approach to supporting children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.Important links:Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.

May 28, 2023 • 14min
Quick-fire strategies: What If We Changed Detention So It Looked Like This?
Do you find yourself seeing the same children in detention, or kept in at playtime, over and over? And asked yourself, do the consequences we have make any difference?In this special School Behaviour Secrets episode, we look at why consequences might be ineffective for some students - and what we could do to help our students instead.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.

May 24, 2023 • 15min
Essentials: How To Improve Teachers' Mental Wellness (with Simon Bolger)
In this Essentials episode, Simon interviews Simon Bolger, a head teacher on a mission to start a wellbeing revolution in schools - including the mental health of teachers.He reveals the importance of positive psychology and how middle leaders can influence their teams and start a wave of cultural change. He also explains why it's important for teachers to take personal responsibility for their own mental wellbeing.Important links:Learn more about Simon Bolger at his That Wellbeing Guy Facebook page.Click here for the full interview from episode 56.Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.


