School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton

Ever had that moment where your reward system just… stops working? The stickers lose their sparkle, the house points barely register, and suddenly every child in your class is asking, “What do I get if I follow the rules?” It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, and it leaves you wondering what on earth to try next.In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we unpack why reward systems lose power over time – and what the science of motivation says we should be doing instead. We’ll explore the hedonic treadmill, reward inflation, and the classic study that shows how easy it is to accidentally kill intrinsic motivation in children. And we’ll look at why transactional “tit for tat” systems can be especially damaging for pupils with SEMH and SEND needs.Then we’ll dig into what actually works long-term. You’ll learn how to build behaviour that lasts, how to make motivation stick even when there’s a supply teacher in the room, and how to transition away from over-reliance on stickers and points without causing a classroom riot.If you want your pupils to behave well because it’s who they are – not because they think they’ll earn a token, house point, Dojo and sticker – this episode is for you.Important links:Get your copy of the Classroom Management Scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheetDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources

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/resources

Got a class that just won’t stop talking? The kind where the chatter keeps creeping back in, no matter how many times you settle them? We feel your pain!In this episode, we explain why the problem isn’t talk itself, but unstructured talk - and how to turn your class’s social energy and exuberance into focus, rather than frustration.You’ll discover the T3 Method: a simple way of structuring your lesson, so pupils get the connection and verbal processing time they need, while keeping your lesson productive and the learning moving forward. You’ll also learn how to teach talk routines and support pupils who rely on social interaction to stay regulated.So if you’re tired of battling chatty classes, this is your blueprint for working with your students’ energy instead of against it.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

Ever worked with a pupil who argues about everything — even the things they secretly agree with?In this episode, we unpack Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) — what it is, what it isn’t, and why traditional approaches like confrontation or “tougher boundaries” often backfire.You’ll discover:The common myths that cause teachers to misread ODD behaviourThe key differences between ODD and PDA (and why that distinction matters)How ADHD and ODD overlap, and what that means for your classroomWhat’s really driving the behaviour of pupils with ODD — including the roles of ontrol, safety, and predictabilityAnd four practical strategies to help you support these pupils without power struggles, conflict, or endless frustrationYou’ll learn why your student’s defiance often hides distress — and how changing your response can change everything.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

Ever get to Friday and feel like your emotional battery’s is fried? You’re not alone. Working in education — especially when supporting pupils with SEMH needs — means carrying other people’s emotions all day long. By the end of the week, you’re not just tired, you’re emotionally done.In this shorter half-term quickfire episode, we dive into the emotional side of teaching — and how to protect your emotional wellbeing in just five minutes a day. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to help your nervous system switch off after a long day of teaching, so you can recharge and stop carrying classroom stress home with you.And there’s a twist — because this isn’t just about personal wellbeing. We’ll explore why this is an essential leadership priority too. Because calm adults create calm classrooms — and when we ignore teacher wellbeing, we undermine every other behaviour strategy we’re using in school.Along the way, expect honesty, practical advice, and a strong opinion about smoked kippers (you’ve been warned).So whether you’re a teacher, SENCO, or school leader, this episode is your reminder that protecting your own calm isn’t selfish — it’s part of the job.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

“Connection before correction” has become a bit of a buzz phrase in education — but what does it actually mean in a real classroom? How do you do it in the middle of a behaviour incident, when stress levels are high and pupils seem least open to connection?In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, Simon Currigan unpacks the science and the practice behind this powerful idea. Drawing on the work of psychologists Dan Hughes and Kim Golding, as well as what we know about the autonomic nervous system and the impact of stress on the brain, he explains why connection isn’t a soft option — it’s a strategy grounded in biology.You’ll discover:Why correction fails when pupils are dysregulated and the amygdala takes over.How connection to a calm adult acts as a buffer, helping pupils regain access to the thinking part of the brain.The role of the PAIN framework (Primary Areas of Internal Need) in fuelling stress and behaviour challenges.Why some pupils — especially those affected by trauma or ACEs — resist connection, even though they need it most.Practical ways to use the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) to connect with students in the moment, before moving to correction or problem-solving. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear picture of how “connection before correction” works in practice — and why it’s often the missing link between repeated conflict and lasting behaviour change. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried consequences, I’ve tried reasoning, but nothing sticks,” this episode will give you a new lens for seeing behaviour — and a toolkit for building calmer, safer classrooms.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

SummaryDo isolation rooms really work? And if they do… why do we see the same pupils sitting in them day after day?In this episode, we dig into why – for many pupils - isolation rooms don’t change behaviour - and what schools can do instead to support the students who repeatedly end up there.You’ll discover:Why isolation can make behaviour worse (not better)What’s really driving repeat incidents (and how to spot it using the PAIN framework)How to shift from “respite" to “repair" using the R3 approach - and create spaces that build regulation, not resentmentIf your school uses isolation or internal exclusion, this episode will help you rethink how to make it work for pupils, not against them.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

Consistency across classrooms isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s the foundation of your school culture. When pupils see one teacher give a warning, another skip straight to sanctions, and a third ignore the same behaviour completely, the message is clear: the rules don’t really matter. For children with SEMH needs, that unpredictability can even fuel anxiety, dysregulation, and mistrust.In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we dig into why consistency is so hard to achieve in schools and why even the best policies fail without it. You’ll learn how the Beckhard-Harris change equation explains resistance to new approaches—and why accountability is the missing ingredient most schools overlook. Plus, we’ll show you how to balance predictability with professional judgement, so staff don’t feel like robots while still pulling in the same direction.Most importantly, we share practical steps school leaders can use right now: building “useful dissatisfaction,” co-creating a clear vision, breaking change into small, achievable first steps, and embedding supportive accountability. If you want to transform behaviour culture, reduce stress for staff, and create safety for pupils, this episode will show you exactly how to make consistency stick.Links: Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page 

 From November 2025, inclusion, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing are set to take centre stage during Ofsted inspections. But what does this mean for schools in practice – especially when it comes to supporting SEMH? In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we unpack the key changes in the new framework and answer the questions school leaders and teachers are already asking. Will Ofsted finally “get” SEMH? How will inspectors judge behaviour when it looks different for pupils with additional needs? And what does “exceptional” practice actually look like under the new rules? More importantly, you’ll discover the practical steps you can take now to prepare your policies, staff, and systems – so you’re inspection-ready and future-ready. If you want clarity on what Ofsted’s new approach really means for behaviour and SEMH in your school, this episode is for you.Links: Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page 

 When we think of ADHD, most people picture the stereotype: a restless boy bouncing off the walls, blurting out answers, unable to sit still. But here’s the problem - that picture is incomplete. And because of it, thousands of girls with ADHD are being missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we share why ADHD often looks different in girls, how history and diagnostic tools built on boys’ behaviours still shape who gets recognised today, and why masking makes it even harder to see what’s going on. Drawing on research from the UK, US, and Sweden, he unpacks the hidden reasons why girls are diagnosed years later than boys - often only after anxiety or depression take hold. More importantly, you’ll learn what teachers can do right now: how to spot the red flags, support girls who may be masking, and put in place ADHD-friendly classroom strategies without waiting for a diagnosis. If you’ve ever taught a pupil who seems bright but scattered, sensitive yet disorganised, or “fine” at school but falling apart at home, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Links: Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page