Are reward charts actually effective? They've been used for years, but have you considered that they might actually be damaging to your pupils development? In this week's School Behaviour Secrets episode, we discuss the 'dangers' of using reward charts and how they should be used effectively to support pupils in the classroom. Important links: Get our FREE classroom management scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheet.php Join our Inner Circle membership progr...
Jan 23, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Headteachers and deputies: Join our in-person events in Coventy and Dudley Where 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.
Jan 16, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Social skills are essential for surviving and thriving in school - helping pupils connect with one another, understand social boundaries and cope with the demands of the classroom. But what happens if a student has difficulties with one or more of these social skills? In this week's School Behaviour Secrets, we interview Miriam Campbell - author, former teacher and speech language pathologist. She explains exactly what social skills are, what to do if one of your students is having difficulties ...
Jan 09, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Ever wondered why children (and adults) lose self-control when faced with big emotions, such as anger and anxiety? In this School Behaviour Secrets episode, we share one simple strategy that you can use right away to help pupils understand and manage their emotions. Important links: Get our FREE classroom management scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheet.php Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circle.php Downl...
Jan 02, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Want to know how to create a positive climate in your classroom? It might be easier than you think! Sometimes, all it takes is making one simple change. In this special School Behaviour Secrets episode, we reveal one trick you can make today that will help to achieve just that. Important links: Get our FREE classroom management scoresheet: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/classroom-management-scoresheet.php Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circ...
Dec 26, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Can advances in technology (including Virtual Reality) help young people with additional needs to better understand how to interact with others and actively reduce anxiety? In this week's School Behaviour Secrets podcast, we interview Ange Anderson, to discuss the current barriers schools face to using innovative technology. We explore how VR can help prepare young people for real life situations and how technology can make life in school easier for everyone. Important links: Click to view Ange'...
Dec 12, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 89
The lead up to Christmas can be a mixture of excitement and stress for children - and sometimes it's hard to know how to deal with both. In this episode of Behaviour Secrets, we discuss why certain children may not cope during this festive time and offer our top four tips to ensure Christmas is enjoyable for everyone. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.php Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co....
Dec 05, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Some children change their behaviour and 'mask' their true needs all day long at school. Over time, this can be exhausting and may even lead to burnout! In this School Behaviour Secrets podcast, we interview parent and educator advisor Amanda Sokell. Together, we discuss what masking looks like in young people and why listening to children's behaviour (not just their words) is vital when trying to support their emotional wellbeing. Important links: Amanda Sokell's website Navigating Neurodiversi...
Nov 28, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 87
It's common for schools to get outside help when they're struggling to support a child's behaviour, but sometimes this type of advice can actually do more harm than good. In this weeks Behaviour Secrets podcast, we discuss why sometimes you shouldn't listen to advice given by behaviour experts, how this advice can actually make a situation worse and why you mustn't ever take this advice at face value. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-han...
Nov 21, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Despite our best efforts in school, bullying affects significant numbers of children. And the latest research shows that bullying can actually change the ways children's brains are wired and function. In today's episode, expert author Jennifer Fraser looks at the real impact of bullying on our students - both from their peers and adults in school - and reveals what we should really be doing to support victims, and reduce bullying, in our schools. Important links Read Jennifer's book The Bullied ...
Nov 14, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Leading a line is an essential skill for adults in school - but very few teachers have been trained on how to do it effectively. Get it wrong and you have a recipe for low-level behaviour and disruption as you move the class through the building. But there are a set of simple techniques you can use to transition your class across school calmly. In this week's School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal what those techniques are, and how to use them to bring out the best in your class. Useful links Get o...
Nov 07, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 84
How can we empower students to understand and deal with bullying behaviour in school? When not dealt with properly, bullying has a hugely negative impact on school culture and student and staff wellbeing. This week on School Behaviour Secrets, we speak to Deputy CEO of the Diana Award and Vice-Chair of the National Anti-Bullying Alliance, Alex Holmes. We discuss the challenges of changing whole school culture and the positive impact that anti-bullying ambassadors make on school life. Plus, Alex ...
Oct 31, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Is a reduced timetable a highly effective support strategy - or is it just another form of exclusion? This week on School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal the right approach when using reduced timetables in schools. We'll be sharing our tips and tricks for managing and reviewing these schedules so that you can set your pupils up for success. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.php Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https://bea...
Oct 23, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 82
As a parent, it can be tough to decide whether or not to medicate your child for ADHD. But how can you be sure it's the right call? This week on our school behaviour secrets podcast, we sit down with developmental paediatrician and author of 'ADHD Medication: Does It Work And Is It Safe', Dr Walt Karniski. He walks us through some key questions to ask before making a decision, as well as the potential long-term effects of medication. Important links: Download Dr Walt Karniski's book here: ADHD M...
Oct 16, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Getting the working noise level right in class can be tricky. Research tells us that students benefit from the chance to collaborate and discuss learning with their peers, but we all know that too much noise leads to off task behaviours and wasted time. So how can you get the balance of silence and chatter spot on? In this week's School Behaviour secrets episode, we reveal our top 5 tips to managing talkative classes. Meaning an increase in productivity in your classroom. Important links Get our...
Oct 09, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Sometimes our students get stuck in cycles of negative, challenging behaviour - even when they've been offered support and intervention programmes in school. That leads to poor outcomes for the individual - emotionally and academically - and often results in disrupted learning for their classmates. In this episode, we continue our discussion with Tom McIntrye, Sean Turner and Kenny Hirschmann about the Stages of Change model. They reveal their insights into why some pupils are so resistant to ch...
Oct 02, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Sometimes our students get stuck in cycles of negative, challenging behaviour - even when they've been offered support and intervention programmes in school. That leads to poor outcomes for the individual - emotionally and academically - and often results in disrupted learning for their classmates. In this episode, we talk to Tom McIntrye, Sean Turner and Kenny Hirschmann about the Stages of Change model. They explain why some pupils are resistant to change - and how to use this information to d...
Sep 25, 2022•32 min
Been taught that negative reinforcement is a more socially acceptable term for a punishment? Then you've been told a lie. Negative reinforcement is a specific behaviour strategy that is different from punishment in a number of ways. In today's episode, we share what negative enforcement actually is - and why that matters in your classroom. Important links: Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/inner_circle.php Get our FREE classroom management scoresheet: ...
Sep 18, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 77
In the past, we've described children could have difficulty coming into school as 'school refusers,' as if their behaviour is down to wilfulness. But is it time to flip the script - and start looking at other causes for that behaviour? In today's show, Jerricah Holder explains how thinking in terms of Emotionally Based School Avoidance can be much more powerful, what really drives children to avoid attending school, and what we can do to support them. Important links Jerricah's School Based Well...
Sep 11, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 76
There could be a number of reasons why a child is refusing to complete their work. Maybe they're feeling overwhelmed, maybe they don't understand the task, or maybe they're just tired. As a teacher, it's important to try to figure out what the child is trying to tell you so you can help them overcome the obstacle and get their work done. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we look at what work refusal looks like in the classroom, why children might engage in work refusal and some practi...
Sep 04, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 75
When a pupil has an outburst in school, it can be easy to approach that situation as a confrontation, where the child is deliberately engaging in disruptive behaviour. The result? Lots of stress - for the adult and the pupil. But what if there was another approach? In this quickfire strategy episode, I give you a 2-word sentence that anyone can use when emotions are high that makes de-escalation easier... and actually helps you quickly pivot from de-escalation to problem-solving. Important links...
Aug 28, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 74
As teachers and school leaders, it's easy to become distracted (and polarised!) by the question, "Which is more powerful - positive or negative feedback?" But what if that's the wrong question entirely? In this episode, I explain what question we should be asking ourselves about rewards and consequences, and what the implications are for our classroom practice. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.php Join our Inner Circle membershi...
Aug 21, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 73
As teachers and educators, we rely on our voices to teach effectively and communicate information across the classroom, school hall - or even whole playgrounds. But when we project our voices in the wrong way, we can experience frequent sore throats or even damage our vocal cords. In this week's quickfire strategy episode, I explain how to project your voice the right way... so pupils will be able to hear you clearly, so you can speak to large groups of students without causing damage to your th...
Aug 14, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Sometimes, the SEMH support strategies we're using with a student just stop working - for no apparent reason - and we're left with the dilemma, "What do we do next?" In this episode, I share how this simple concept from statistics might explain both why a pupil's behaviour support strategies might have become ineffective - and what to do next. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/SEN-handbook.php Join our Inner Circle membership programme: https...
Aug 07, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 71
When it comes to behaviour and learning, there's one question we should be asking ourselves (as the adult) that can change the game in our classrooms. And although it's a question we often ask ourselves at the start of our career, it's one we quickly forget as we become more experienced as teachers. In this episode I reveal what that question is - and how the answer can have profound consequences for how successful your classroom management strategies are in school. Important links: Get our FREE...
Jul 31, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 70
De-escalating students during an outburst can be physically and mentally draining. But what if there was a way of making it easier on you ? In the first of our "quick fire strategies" episodes, I share one mind-trick that makes de-escalation less stressful - whether you're dealing with a pupil outburst, or another adult that has lost control of their emotions. Important links: Rangan Chattergee's book, Happy Mind, Happy Life and podcast, Feel Better, Live More . Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbo...
Jul 24, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 69
More pupils than ever before are facing unseen pressures, causing an increase in anxiety and stress in pupils of all ages. What are the hidden stresses and what can educators do to alleviate them? In this special Behaviour Secrets compilation, we have weaved together the advice of two SEMH experts, Helena Kulikowska and Sara Turner. They reveal the importance of understanding and empathising with individual pupils and why putting an effective programme of support in place is vital for them to su...
Jul 17, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 68
There's a fine line between supporting students with SEMH needs with positive behaviour change and trying to "normalise" them - so they fit into society's idea of how children should think and behave. In this week's episode, we explore this important topic with Nicki Day, education and parental support advisor (and parent of an autistic child). She explains to provide support in school in the right way, so we help our pupils achieve their potential without impacting negatively on their emotional...
Jul 10, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Over the past twelve months there's been a lot of discussion about using relational approaches to manage classroom behaviour. But, is this approach more effective than a traditional reward and consequences strategy? In this special School Behaviour Secrets episode, we have brought together the advice of two leading specialists, Kevin Hewitson and Pamela Tseu. We discuss the impact of a relational approach and they reveal how to make this approach successful in your classroom. Important links: Se...
Jul 03, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 66
When a child repeatedly has trouble managing their emotions (or behaviour), it's time to start asking why they keep getting dysregulated. What's the root cause? In this week's School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal how to identify the underlying cause of any explosive behaviours you're seeing in school - and why putting in place the right intervention is vital for achieving success. Important links: Get our FREE SEN Behaviour Handbook: Download here Join our Inner Circle membership programme: Inner...
Jun 26, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 65
