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
Mar 6, 2024 • 13min
Essentials: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) - A Guide For Teachers
Explore the impact of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in students, differences with Pathological Demand Avoidance, effective classroom strategies, managing oppositional behavior, offering limited choices for autonomy.
Mar 4, 2024 • 39min
Supporting Students' Social, Emotional And Mental Health Needs In The Early Years
Are you facing challenges in supporting young learners' social, emotional, and mental health needs in the Early Years classroom?In this week's episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we tackle some of the pressing issues educators encounter in early years education.Join us as we share five key areas to focus on in EYFS settings that can make a significant impact on children's social, emotional and mental health needs.Important links:Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload 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.
17 snips
Feb 28, 2024 • 13min
Essentials: Key Classroom Management Strategies To Transform Pupil Behaviour (With Rob Plevin)
Explore key classroom management strategies with Rob Plevin, emphasizing genuine praise, positive responses, and building relationships. Learn how attitude and care can transform classroom dynamics and promote student success.
Feb 26, 2024 • 41min
Navigating Neurodiversity In The Classroom (With Frances Akinde)
Are schools ready for neuro-inclusive learning environments? What practical strategies can you take to make your schools welcoming and successful for all of your students?In this insightful episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we're joined by neurodiversity advocate and educator, Frances Akinde. Together, we explore the intricate world of neurodiversity in schools. What are the hidden challenges faced by neurodivergent students, and how do they affect their learning experiences? Frances sheds light on practical strategies for creating inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive.Important links:To visit Frances Akinde's websiteGet 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.
Feb 21, 2024 • 12min
Essentials: How To Support Students Affected By ACEs And Trauma (With Rebecca Brooks)
Working with pupils affected by ACEs or a history of trauma and you're not sure how to support them? Or maybe you're working with two pupils from the same family, where one child is presenting explosive behaviour - yet their brother or sister seems okay?In this Essentials episode, you'll learn from attachment- and trauma-expert Rebecca Brooks, who explains exactly how adverse childhood experiences affect your students' emotions and behaviour, and reveals the power of positive adult relationships to help them succeed in school.Important links:Get Rebecca's book, The Trauma and Attachment Aware Classroom.Click here to hear all of episode 45Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload 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.
Feb 19, 2024 • 28min
How To Set Up A Successful SEND Hub In Your School
Are you grappling with the challenge of effectively supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in your school?In our latest episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we dive deep into the topic of creating thriving SEND support hubs within educational settings, exploring the critical components of successful SEND hubs and how to implement them in your school.Important links:Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload 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.
Feb 12, 2024 • 13min
Quick-Fire Strategies: Reducing Exclusion Rates for SEMH Students
Are exclusion and suspension rates among SEMH students causing concern in your school?In our latest quick-fire episode of School Behaviour Secrets we consider what we actually mean by exclusion, the effects this can have on the life chances of our students and what we can begin to do to try to support students with SEMH in order to avoid exclusion.Important links:Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload 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.
Feb 7, 2024 • 11min
Essentials: Rethinking Behaviour Charts - How Effective Are They Really?
Exploring the effectiveness of behaviour charts in schools, discussing public shaming, positive reinforcement, and understanding behavior control for children with special needs
Feb 5, 2024 • 28min
Demand Avoidance Or PDA? Insights For Educators
Are you working with children who constantly avoid tasks and resist demands either at home or in the classroom?If you are, then it's important to understand the difference between regular demand or task avoidance (something that all children engage with from time to time) and pathological demand avoidance (PDA).From understanding the underlying causes to implementing effective strategies, discover tools to turn resistance into collaboration and learning.Important links:Get our FREE SEND Behaviour 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.
Jan 31, 2024 • 11min
Essentials: EFT Tapping - A Simple Technique To Help Children Manage Their Emotions (With Deborah Miller)
EFT tapping could be the solution that you need to help your pupils learn to handle their emotions and stress in a way that leaves them feeling calm, grounded and ready to learn.Tune in as we interview Deborah Miller, a renowned EFT expert, to explore the power of tapping and its potential to create a calm, centered learning environment for both teachers and students.Important links:Click here to hear all of episode 42.Deborah's website: https://deborah-miller.myshopify.com/Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload 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.
