In The Wrong Room

Have you noticed that your teaching voice is different from your everyday voice? In this episode, Lucy shares practical tips for teachers to protect and enhance their voice, especially when teaching beyond their expertise. She discusses how stress impacts vocal health and offers actionable strategies to use voice more intentionally and creatively. Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for...

In this episode, Lucy reflects on her journey through different teaching environments, from primary to secondary education, exploring the challenges and opportunities of teaching outside her specialism. She discusses how adapting to different age groups and educational settings can broaden a teacher’s perspective, shape curriculum design and encourage new approaches to learning. The conversation a...

In this episode, Lucy explores the complex issue of low-level disruption and disconnection in classrooms, emphasising the importance of understanding disassociation and trauma in both the students and educators. She shares some simple practical strategies for managing behaviour and why fostering a safe, engaging learning environment for everybody is so important. Practical tools for teachers teach...

What happens when drama education is treated as an essential part of the curriculum rather than an optional extra? In this episode, we discuss the importance of drama education from primary through to Key Stage 3, arguing for drama to have a more secure and consistent place within the curriculum. We explore how developing drama skills and familiarity with drama conventions from an early age can su...

Drama isn't just about performing; it's a powerful way to build empathy, communication, critical thinking and confidence. In this episode, we focus on practical, easy-to-use strategies that make teaching drama accessible for every educator. Whether you're a classroom teacher or completely new to drama, you'll discover different strategies that get students involved from the very first lesson. We a...

Teaching outside your specialism can be daunting! In this episode we talk about the invisible stress educators face when stepping out of their comfort zone and shares actionable strategies to navigate the chaos with confidence and creativity. Lucy draws from her own experience returning to Key Stage 3 drama after four years in primary education, highlighting how teaching beyond one’s expertise can...

What if the biggest barrier between education and the creative industries isn't funding or policy, but language? In this episode, Lucy explores the often-overlooked gap between education and the creative industries: language. While teachers and artists frequently share the same goals, they often describe these skills in completely different ways, which can make it tricky for teacher teaching beyon...

Teaching beyond your subject expertise can feel daunting, but I would argue that it's also one of the most powerful opportunities for personal and professional growth. key topics Key discussion points: Reframing non-specialist teaching as an opportunity for growth The importance of curiosity and enthusiasm in teaching beyond your expertise Practical activities to engage students across key stages...

Can you really teach breaking the fourth wall to a Year 3 class? When I moved from secondary to primary, I thought drama conventions would need stripping right back. Instead, I discovered that introducing them earlier gives children the confidence and vocabulary to master them over time. In this episode, I share how I mapped a drama curriculum backwards from Year 6, creating a clear progression ac...

Are you filling your Key Stage 1 drama lessons with games that don't actually move learning forward? In this episode, I share practical, purposeful approaches to teaching drama and dance in Key Stage 1, simple routines and engaging activities that maximize lesson time. This episode offers teachers effective strategies for creating structured, enjoyable lessons that keep every child actively involv...

One of the biggest shifts I had to make when transitioning into Primary education wasn't the curriculum, it was the routines and expectations! In this episode, I chat about simple structures that have helped my children in EYFS feel secure, stay engaged and thrive in Dance and Drama. From using music and visual cues to manage transitions, to creating predictable routines that build confidence and...

How do you want the children to feel when they enter your teaching space? From EYFS classrooms packed with tiny chairs, role-play areas, carpet kingdoms and the occasional hamster, to dance studios on the other side of the school site, I'm sharing what I've learned about creating an atmosphere where children feel confident, creative and ready to learn. Whether you're teaching in a dedicated Perfor...

In this episode, I discuss how to map unfamiliar curricula, adapt existing resources and build the confidence needed to thrive in a new classroom environment. Whether you're considering the move or already making it, you'll leave with actionable strategies to make the transition smoother and more successful. Key topics: Curriculum mapping and long-term planning Reusing and adapting existing teachi...

What happens when a secondary drama and dance teacher steps into the world of primary education and EYFS? In the first episode of In The Wrong Room , I share my journey from secondary performing arts teaching into primary education, exploring what inspired the transition, the challenges I faced and the lessons I learned along the way. We discuss the role of drama and arts education in primary scho...

Have you ever walked into a classroom and thought, "I know how to teach... so why do I feel like I'm in the wrong room?" Welcome to In the Wrong Room - the podcast for Performing Arts Specialists making the leap from secondary into primary and EYFS. I'm your host, Lucy Colgan and this podcast was born from my own unexpected journey into primary education. What started as a career detour became one...