In this deeply personal episode, I’m joined by Harriet Ennis, a psychology teacher from York and this year's winner of the British Psychological Society's Pre-Tertiary Education Psychology Teacher of the Year (PEPTOTY). Harriet reached out to share her personal experience of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), previously referred to as school refusal. Harriet brings both professional insight and a powerful parental perspective to the conversation, as she opens up about her daughter J’s journey through this challenging experience.

EBSA describes children who are unable—not unwilling—to attend school due to overwhelming emotional or mental health difficulties. It's estimated that 1–5% of students experience EBSA, though this number may be even higher post-COVID. It's not about truancy or defiance—it's about real, often invisible, distress.

🎧 In this episode:

• Harriet shares what EBSA looked like for her family

• We learn about how schools can help through deeper understanding of the issues, and strong communication with parents.

• J shares a symbolic moment: cutting her hair on Saturday 26th July 2025 as a sign of starting fresh—and fundraising for a cause close to her heart

💬 “I went into a burnout for 6 months and at first, for weeks, I couldn't face light and I spent every day in a dark room... Coping with my sensory processing differences day after day had overloaded me... But I’m getting better and better.” – J

If you would like to learn more about EBSA this article from the Psychologist magazine is a useful 5 minute read: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/cant-not-wont-rethinking-school-avoidance

J is raising money for Thornberry Animal Sanctuary in Yorkshire—a nod to some fellow "hairy" friends—by cutting off her tangled hair and starting again. If you’d like to support her campaign, the JustGiving link is here.

👨‍👦If you would like further advice or support Harriet has suggest these links may be of use: https://daisychainproject.co.uk/autism-central/ (North of England) or https://www.childautism.org.uk/for-families/ (more broadly).

⚠️ A quick note: This episode was recorded under less-than-ideal internet conditions, so you may notice a few audio hiccups. I’ve done my best to smooth things out—thanks for bearing with us.

In this episode of Psychology in the Classroom, Dr. Lauren Margulieux helps explore why failure isn't just a learning opportunity—but a biologically powerful one. Drawing on neuroscience, Lauren explains how our brains react to failure, the role of neurotransmitters like epinephrine and acetylcholine, and why moderate emotional discomfort can actually prime the brain for better memory and attention.

We discuss:

• How to help students frame failure positively

• Why emotional regulation is key to learning

• Practical strategies for secondary teachers to support learning in the face of setbacks

• The impact of daily cycles, sleep, exercise, and nutrition on focus and cognitive performance

Packed with practical tips and grounded in cutting-edge science, this episode is a must-listen for any teacher supporting adolescent learners through challenges—especially during exam season.

🔗Margulieux, Lauren & Prather, James & Rahimi, Masoumeh. (2025). The Biological Benefits of Failure on Learning and Tools to Manage the Fallout. Educational Psychology Review. 37. 10.1007/s10648-025-10013-7. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-025-10013-7

🔗L. E. Margulieux, J. Prather, M. Rahimi and G. C. Uzun, "Leverage Biology to Learn Rapidly From Mistakes Without Feeling Like a Failure," in Computing in Science & Engineering, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 44-49, March-April 2023, doi: 10.1109/MCSE.2023.3297750.,(practitioner-focused paper, 5 pages): https://doi.org/10.1109/MCSE.2023.3297750

🔗Learn more about Dr. Lauren Margulieux’s work: https://laurenmarg.com/

In this episode we explores the impact of perfectionism on exam anxiety, particularly among neurodivergent individuals. Dr. Tracey Donachie, a lecturer in sports and exercise psychology, discusses the components and prevalence of perfectionism, highlighting its psychological and behavioral effects. Maciej Matejko, from the Re-Star Project, shares his perspective on perfectionism in relation to autism, while consultant Julia Gudinchet offers strategies for managing perfectionistic tendencies in individuals with ADHD and autism. The episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for educators and students to foster healthier attitudes towards achievement.

Find out more:

Dr Tracy Donachie: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/psychology/people/profile/tracydonachie.html

Julia Gudinchet, Sunflower Autism Consultancy: https://sunflowerautismconsultancy.co.uk

Pomodoro Technique: https://changingstatesofmind.libsyn.com/how-effective-is-the-pomodoro-technique

RE-STAR project (Maciej Matejko): https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/re-star

Time Stamps:

Expert Insight on Perfectionism (00:01:15)
Dr. Tracey Donachie discusses her extensive experience with managing exam stress and perfectionism & explains two main components of perfectionism: high standards and self-criticism.

Prevalence of Perfectionism (00:02:58)
Discussion on the rising rates of socially prescribed perfectionism among students and its debilitating effects.

Good vs. Bad Perfectionism (00:06:00)
Exploration of the spectrum of perfectionism, distinguishing between striving for excellence and harmful perfectionism.

Long-Term Psychological Effects (00:07:39)
Discussion on burnout and other psychological issues linked to chronic perfectionism.

Impact Beyond Academics (00:09:31)
Perfectionism's effects on sports, body image, and interpersonal relationships are examined.

Strategies for Teachers (00:13:49)
Recommendations for teachers to help students manage perfectionism and foster a growth mindset.

Advice for Students During Exam Season (00:16:15)
Practical tips for students to combat perfectionism during high-stress exam periods.

Understanding Autism and Perfectionism (00:19:00)
Discussion on autism and its relationship with perfectionism, featuring insights from Maciej.

Understanding Perfectionism in Neurodivergent Individuals (00:20:02)
Discussion on how perfectionism can stem from positive qualities but become problematic, especially for neurodivergent individuals.

Perfectionism as a Coping Mechanism (00:22:20)
Exploration of how perfectionism can serve as a response to social difficulties and low self-esteem.

Personal Experiences with Perfectionism (00:23:36)
Insights into the speaker's personal struggles with perfectionism and its draining effects.

Advice on Managing Perfectionism (00:29:30): Changing Relationships with Failure (00:30:09) , Exploring Interests to Reduce Pressure (00:32:14), The Need for Recovery Time (00:34:17), Exploring Neurodiversity (00:35:15), Seeking Mental Health Support (00:38:02)

Final Thoughts on Perfectionism (00:40:07)
Reflection on the need to help students foster a healthy relationship with failure and imperfection.