School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton

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-handbookDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

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.phpDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

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 accountabilityIf 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/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

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/beaconschoolsupportHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

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-handbookDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

January offers a unique opportunity for behavior resets in the classroom. Discover how the Fresh Start Effect can help rebuild relationships and motivate students with a sense of confidence. Learn to create whole-class resolutions that shift identity, and embrace symbolic activities to help individuals let go of past mistakes. Tips on re-establishing adult-pupil dynamics and reducing sensory overload are also shared. This insightful discussion equips teachers to start the term with a calmer, more connected environment for all.

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-handbookDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

Christmas is exciting… but in schools, it can also send behaviour spiralling.Between nativity rehearsals, parties, Christmas jumper day, and all the glitter-induced chaos, many pupils tip from festive fun to full-on overwhelm faster than you can say “silent night.”In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn why December is such a challenging month for regulation, the hidden SEMH pressures pupils face and the simple changes that help children stay settled so they can actually enjoy the fun.You’ll learn:Why Christmas disrupts the nervous system for many pupilsThe bedtime routine analogy that explains festive behaviour perfectlyPractical strategies you can use immediately to reduce silliness, anxiety and pre-holiday chaosHow to help pupils enjoy Christmas without tipping into dysregulationIf you want a calmer, happier run-up to the holidays — for you and your pupils — this episode is your roadmap.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/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.

Recovering from the disappointing moment when reward systems fail is easier than you think! Discover why the excitement of stickers fizzles out over time and how the hedonic treadmill plays a role. Hear about reward inflation and its harmful effects, especially for vulnerable students. The podcast dives into the detrimental impact of traditional rewards on intrinsic motivation and offers insights on building lasting, genuine behavioral change. Learn how to tie behavior to identity and values, ensuring students thrive for the right reasons!

When pupils show persistent, emotionally escalated behaviour, it’s easy to focus on the surface - the shouting, the refusal, the walking out  - and miss the real cause.In this episode, you’ll learn how to use the PAIN framework (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Social, Prosocial, and Transition needs) to help your pupils make progress with their SEMH needs. You’ll follow the story of Liam, an 11-year-old pupil whose behaviour seemed oppositional - until the PAIN lens revealed hidden what was happening below the surface and driving his behaviour.You’ll discover:How to identify unmet needs using the PAIN framework – and use this to pick the right support strategies for your studentsWhy those needs can mimic “defiance” and “chosen behaviour”How to replace traditional behaviour plans with proactive regulation plans that prevent crises before they startIf you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried every strategy, and nothing works,” this episode will show you how to think like an SEMH specialist - and how the PAIN framework can transform your understanding of your student’s behaviour.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/resourcesHeadteachers and deputies: Join our in-person event in BradfordWhere 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.