When Rewards Stop Working: How To Build Behaviour That Lasts

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-scoresheet

Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources

NEW and FREE: Live in-person ADHD training for SENCOs and school leaders in Walsall

Are the teachers in your school struggling to meet the needs of your pupils with ADHD? Then register for this free, face-to-face training and support session for school leaders and SENCOs in and around Walsall. You'll leave this session with more than just theory – we’ll give you a ready-to-use toolkit to use in your school that helps you calm classrooms, boost focus and more effec