Have you ever taught a pupil who seems perfectly capable of completing their work, but spends half the lesson finding ways to avoid getting started?
It's easy to interpret this behaviour as laziness, defiance or a lack of motivation. But sometimes, avoidance is a way of escaping discomfort or stress caused by underlying needs. And if we misunderstand what's driving that behaviour, our attempts to motivate the pupil might actually make things worse.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why av...
Nov 2
23 min
After a difficult behaviour incident, how do you rebuild your relationship with a pupil who's sworn at you, become aggressive or stormed out of your classroom? And whose responsibility is it to make the first move?
In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you'll discover why repairing adult-pupil relationships isn't just important for the child - it's also in your own professional interests. You'll learn why pupils who've experienced trauma, or who have certain SEND needs, may find it pa...
Oct 18
24 min
What do the latest behaviour, SEND and attendance statistics actually tell us about what’s happening in schools? In this episode, you’ll explore five recent figures that raise important questions about suspensions, SEND support, attendance and the pressures facing school staff. You’ll hear why headline data can hide what’s really happening underneath, why pupils on SEN Support may need closer attention and why behaviour data is most useful when it leads us to better questions rather than quic...
Oct 11
24 min
Does your class work well independently, but the moment you put them into groups, the noise goes up, chairs start scraping and everything begins to unravel? Group work places more demands on pupils than we sometimes realise - from moving around the room and managing resources to remembering instructions, negotiating with other pupils and switching attention. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn five simple ways to make those transitions smoother and help pupils settle mor...
Oct 4
16 min
Ever used your calmest voice with an upset pupil, only to find it winds them up even more? You’re trying to help, but somehow your calming strategy is making things worse. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll explore the difference between sounding calm and helping a pupil feel understood. Through a familiar classroom scenario, you’ll hear how well-intentioned responses can add pressure, and why showing some emotion can sometimes communicate more empathy than a perfectly soothi...
Sep 27
18 min
If pupils are marked present, but still spend large parts of the school day hiding in the toilets, wandering corridors or visiting the medical room – have you solved your internal truancy problem, or just moved it somewhere else? In this episode, you’ll learn about emotionally based internal truancy, or EBIT - an informal way of thinking about pupils who make it into school but struggle to access the classroom. You’ll discover how to balance safe toilet access with clear expectations around l...
Sep 20
17 min
Have you ever taught a pupil who produces excellent work most of the time, but becomes overwhelmed, angry or tearful after making one tiny mistake? Perfectionism can look like a positive quality from the outside, yet it may be hiding intense anxiety underneath. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn why some perfectionist pupils are more vulnerable to dysregulation and how to distinguish healthy high standards from a fear-driven need to avoid mistakes. You’ll also discover ...
Sep 13
22 min
Why do some pupils smile, deny what happened, blame someone else or become angry when they're challenged about their behaviour? Sometimes, what looks like defiance or a lack of remorse may actually be a defence against shame. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you'll learn: - The important difference between guilt and shame - and why it matters for behaviour - Why shame doesn't always look like shame, and can sometimes appear as smiling, blame, denial or aggression - How shame can c...
Sep 6
25 min
Some pupils never put their hand up. They never admit they’re stuck. But then they fall behind while everyone assumes they’re coping. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn why asking for help can feel threatening for some pupils and the hidden coping strategies they use instead - from copying others’ work to trying to become invisible in the classroom. You’ll also discover the simple SAFE approach for understanding why pupils stay silent, and how the PAIN Framework can he...
Aug 30
15 min
The final week of term should feel positive - but when routines disappear, emotions rise and pupils realise the year is ending, behaviour can quickly start to unravel. In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, you’ll learn how to keep the end of term calm, structured and meaningful without removing all the fun. We’ll look at why pupils often become silly, emotional or unsettled before the holidays, how to balance high-energy activities with calm “landing” tasks, and how to help children lo...
Jul 12
24 min
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