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
Apr 16, 2023 • 21min
Stimming: Why It Happens and How to Support
Stimming or self-stimulating behaviours are repetitive or unusual movements (or noises) that can help some pupils manage emotions and cope with overwhelming situations.In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we explore why children stim, the links between stimming and autism and how stimming relates to a pupil's sensory 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.
Apr 9, 2023 • 12min
Quick-fire strategies: The ‘R’ Word That Fuels Student Refusal
Working with students who engage in power battles, refusal or just hate being told what to do? Then you'll know it's a recipe for tension and stress in the classroom.In this School Behaviour Secrets quickfire episode, you'll discover the 'R' word that may be fuelling their behaviour and strategies for managing pupil refusal successfully.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.
Apr 5, 2023 • 16min
How It Really Feels To Have ADHD (With John Booth)
In this essentials episode, we explore what it feels like to be a student with undiagnosed ADHD in the classroom - their challenges, their frustrations, and the emotional impact school life can bring.In this very candid interview, John Booth reveals the truth about what it is like to be both the parent of a child with ADHD - and what how being diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in his forties changed the way he viewed his school years.Important links: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.
Apr 2, 2023 • 10min
Quick-fire strategies: Ask This Powerful Question To Deal With Challenging Classroom Behaviour
If you're working with pupils who engage in classroom behaviour that's difficult to manage, it's key to address the underlying need that's driving their behaviour. That's easy to say, but harder to do.In this special School Behaviour Secrets episode, I share one simple approach anyone can use to uncover that root cause - meaning you can use the right strategy, at the right time, to help your students overcome their social and emotional obstacles.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.
Mar 29, 2023 • 14min
ESSENTIALS: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) with Ruth Fidler
Working with pupils who refuse, engage in task avoidance or endless negotiation in class? Then it may be your pupil is affected by PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) - which is a form of autism.In this essentials episode, Ruth Fidler explains what drives the behaviour of pupils with PDA - and how using traditional autism-friendly strategies might actually be counter-productive.Important links:Collaborative Approaches to Learning for Pupils with PDA: Strategies for Education ProfessionalsUnderstanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in ChildrenGet 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.
Mar 26, 2023 • 49min
What Is Trauma Informed Practice And Why Is It Important? (With Tom Brunzell)
Kids who have experienced high levels of trauma can often feel threatened for no apparent reason. But what's really causing this?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we interview school leader and educational advisor, Dr. Tom Brunzell. Together, we discuss the impact that ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can have on pupils and he reveals his 5 part framework to support pupils who have been affected by trauma.Important links:Click here to view the Berry Street Website hereBuy Tom's book Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classrooms: Teacher Strategies for Nurturing Students' Healing, Growth, and Learning 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.
Mar 24, 2023 • 15min
ESSENTIALS: What Really Drives Dysregulation with Stuart Shanker
Ever wondered what really drives students to become dysregulated in school? Because if we can work out what's causing their heightened emotions then we can do something about it.The answer is... probably not what you think it is. In this 10-minute snackable Essentials episode, we share a short clip of our interview with Dr. Stuart Shanker, who explains what really fuels dysregulation... and at what age we can teach kids to start recognising and managing their emotions.Useful links:Want to hear the full interview? Then check out episode 2 of School Behaviour Secrets.Free stress inventory by the Self-Regulation Institute: https://selfregulationinstitute.org/resources/stress-inventory/Self-Reg courses and resources: https://self-reg.ca/Self-Reg book: Amazon.com Amazon.co.ukGet our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.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.
Mar 20, 2023 • 30min
Avoiding Burnout: Self-Care Strategies for Teachers
Working in a highly stressful teaching environment? That's going to take its toll on your mental and physical health. Stress is like a warning signal from our body telling us that something isn't quite right.In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we discuss the negative effects exposure to long term stress can have on your body and mind and we reveal our most effective strategies for managing and reducing stress.Important links:The Health Fix by Dr. Ayan Panja The Health FixJoin 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.
Mar 17, 2023 • 12min
ESSENTIALS: Teaching Students To Regulate with Leah Kuypers
If you work in education, you're probably seeing more and more dysregulated students in the classroom - and helping them to understand (and manage) strong emotions is becoming a key teaching skill.In this 10-minute snackable Essentials episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we share an excerpt of our interview with Leah Kuypers, where she explains how to use the Zones of Regulation to help children understand their emotions. Want to hear the full interview? Then check out episode 36 of School Behaviour Secrets.Useful links:Learn more about the Zones Of Regulation: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.phpJoin our FREE Classroom Management and Student Behaviour FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/school.behaviourDownload 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.
Mar 13, 2023 • 40min
Why Students And Teachers Are Disconnecting From Education With Don Berg
Disengaged. Burnt-out. Stressed. Does this all sound familiar? More and more pupils (and teachers) are becoming increasingly disconnected from education. But what's really causing this?In this School Behaviour Secrets episode, we interview author & education psychology researcher, Don Berg. We discuss the real reasons why so many people are disconnecting with education, and he reveals some simple strategies you can use right now to help prevent this.Important links:Visit Don's website here: Holistic EquityGet Don's Classroom Climate Assessment ToolRead Don's book Schooling for Holistic Equity.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.
