School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma Shackleton

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 copyin...

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...

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. ...

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:

The first week of January isn’t just “back to school” - it’s one of the most effective behaviour intervention points of the entire year. In this episode, we explore how to harness the psychology of the Fresh Start Effect to reset classroom routines, rebuild relationships and help pupils begin the new term with confidence rather than shame.

You’ll discover:

• Why January works better than September for behaviour resets

• How to create ...

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 ...

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 ch...

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 mo...

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 behavi...

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 ...

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 behaviour
• The key differences between ODD and PDA (and why that dis...

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 ju...

“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 Ki...

Summary

Do 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 us...

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 S...

 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 inspector...

 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’...

 Ever tried every de-escalation strategy in the book—calm voice, supportive stance, soothing words—only to watch a student keep spiralling? The problem isn’t you. The problem is that de-escalation on its own isn’t enough. 

In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal why de-escalation so often fails in the heat of the moment, and introduce a new way of thinking about pupil behaviour: the PAINs framework (Primary Areas of I...

Are one-to-one teaching assistants really the best way to support students with SEMH needs?

In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we explore the myth of 1:1 support and its unintended consequences for schools and students.

Discover why this topic resonates with teachers and SENCOs working to support pupils with a high level of need and how rethinking your approach could empower independence and resilience in a more sustainable...