

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 7, 2024 • 12min
Quick-Fire Strategies: How To Reduce Attention-Seeking Behaviour In Class
If you're working with students who present with attention seeking behaviours in school, or maybe you're a parent and you're seeing that pattern of behaviour at home, then this episode of School Behaviour Secrets is for you.We'll look at why the term attention seeking might be unhelpful both for the child and the adult, and we'll share three different ways of thinking about behaviour so that we can find useful strategies to support 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.phpShare this podcast with your friends:Get NEW behaviour and SEMH strategies in our FREE webinar!Use this link to join our free webinar on Tuesday 21st October 2025 and walk away with strategies and insights you can immediately apply to your own class and students. We're limited to 300 seats to book yours ASAP. Register now.

10 snips
Mar 31, 2024 • 10min
Quick-Fire Strategies: How To Use Reward Charts Effectively
Explore how simple strategies like reward charts can effectively manage classroom behavior, challenging the misconception of children's innocence. Learn the benefits and strategies of using reward charts for behavior modification, transitioning to independent behavior and deeper support if needed.

10 snips
Mar 27, 2024 • 13min
Essentials: Three Key Strategies To Improve Classroom Behaviour
Discover three key strategies for enhancing classroom behavior in this episode, including the importance of setting the tone, strategic classroom seating, and preventing low-level behaviors. Learn how to keep students engaged, manage dead time effectively, and create a positive learning environment.

Mar 25, 2024 • 24min
Why Classroom Punishments (And Zero Tolerance Strategies) Stop Working
Are some of your pupils stuck in a never-ending cycle of negative behaviour? Does it feel like your classroom consequences are failing to have an impact?Then it's time for a change. Join us as we explore the concept of punishment within the classroom, its limitations in behaviour management, and what you need to be aware of in order to foster positive student 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.phpGet NEW behaviour and SEMH strategies in our FREE webinar!Use this link to join our free webinar on Tuesday 21st October 2025 and walk away with strategies and insights you can immediately apply to your own class and students. We're limited to 300 seats to book yours ASAP. Register now.

Mar 20, 2024 • 15min
Essentials: Supporting Children Through Bereavement And Grief In Schools (With Justine Wilson)
The death of a close family member can deeply affect a student's emotional well-being, leaving educators wondering how to create a supportive environment for students experiencing grief.In the latest Essentials episode of School Behaviour Secrets we join Justine Wilson from the Edward's Trust to discuss practical approaches for teachers and school staff to effectively address grief in the classroom.Important links:The Edward's Trust website (including online resources)Edward's Trust YouTube page with videosClick here to hear all of episode 50Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources.phpGet NEW behaviour and SEMH strategies in our FREE webinar!Use this link to join our free webinar on Tuesday 21st October 2025 and walk away with strategies and insights you can immediately apply to your own class and students. We're limited to 300 seats to book yours ASAP. Register now.

Mar 18, 2024 • 39min
Discover The Transformative Power Of Music For Pupils With SEMH Needs! (With Henry Walker-Brown)
Are you working with kids who are disengaged, lack confidence, opt out, lack social skills, or are on the verge of exclusion?In this episode we sit down with Henry Walker-Brown (from Noise Academy) to explore the transformative power of music for pupils with SEMH needs in schools.Henry shares his insights on using music to empower students, foster social skills and enhance emotional well-being in the classroom.Important links:To visit the Noise Academy websiteGet your FREE Beacon School Support classroom management scoresheet.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/resourcesGet NEW behaviour and SEMH strategies in our FREE webinar!Use this link to join our free webinar on Tuesday 21st October 2025 and walk away with strategies and insights you can immediately apply to your own class and students. We're limited to 300 seats to book yours ASAP. Register now.

14 snips
Mar 13, 2024 • 12min
Essentials: Making sense of Classroom Behaviour
Explore the different behavior types in the classroom, from emotional to automatic responses. Learn how stress influences decision-making and discover actionable strategies for effective classroom management.

Mar 11, 2024 • 24min
How To Support Pupils To Improve Attendance In Your School.
Explore strategies to improve school attendance, understand the impact of relationships on absenteeism, delve into factors influencing student attendance, and support students through environment and education value on this insightful podcast episode

Mar 6, 2024 • 12min
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 • 38min
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.phpGet NEW behaviour and SEMH strategies in our FREE webinar!Use this link to join our free webinar on Tuesday 21st October 2025 and walk away with strategies and insights you can immediately apply to your own class and students. We're limited to 300 seats to book yours ASAP. Register now.