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 of the most rewarding and transformative experiences of my teaching career so far. After 12 years teaching Drama and Dance in Secondary schools, I found myself standing in front of a group of preschool children wondering how on earth you introduce a learning objective when there's absolutely no point writing it on the board.

In the upcoming bite-sized episodes, I'm going to be sharing practical advice, insights, lesson ideas and tried-and-tested strategies from my time teaching EYFS - Year 6 Performing Arts. We'll talk about lesson planning, curriculum design, questioning techniques, working with class teachers, teaching Shakespeare to Year 2, writing theatre reviews with KS2 and all the funny, chaotic and brilliant moments that happen when you're teaching younger children.

Most importantly, you will feel more confident as you make the transition or perhaps even nudge you to make the leap!

So if you've ever felt like you're in the wrong room... you're in exactly the right place.

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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 schools, building confidence as a specialist teaching younger learners and how cross-phase teaching can strengthen your practice rather than diminish your expertise.

Key topics

• The importance of creativity and play in primary education
• Curriculum mapping and skills progression in primary
• The value of arts and drama in early education
• Building confidence as a Specialist in a primary or EYFS setting

Whether you're a secondary teacher considering a move into primary education, an arts specialist working in EYFS or KS2, or a teacher looking to develop a more creative approach to learning, this episode is for you!

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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 teaching resources
• Why understanding the EYFS framework is key (check out the EYFS ELG one page doc!)
• Building confidence in primary classrooms
• Professional development and continuous learning strategies

Useful Facebook groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/962913737119626

https://www.facebook.com/groups/433350790020369

https://www.facebook.com/groups/386639214731335

https://www.facebook.com/groups/379869912451652

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 Performing Arts studio or a space you're borrowing for the afternoon, we'll chat about making the most of what you've got and why the environment can be one of your most powerful teaching tools.

Key topics:

• Creating a drama room that children genuinely want to be in and how atmosphere shapes learning in drama and dance.
• Teaching in a variety of primary spaces and ways of creating a child-friendly drama environment
• Supporting neurodivergent learners through thoughtful environmental design
• The importance of routines, expectations and transitions in primary teaching

If you've ever felt like you're in the wrong room, you are in the right place!

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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 independence, you'll gain insights that are rarely covered in teacher training. I also explore how storytelling can transform lessons, using my popular space adventure as an example, and I explain why learning to read the room is one of the most valuable skills you can transfer as a Specialist.

Whether you're a secondary teacher considering a move into primary education, an arts specialist working in EYFS or KS2, or a teacher looking to develop a more creative approach to learning, this episode is for you!

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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 involved.

Useful FB groups:

Drama Teachers Sharing Group

Primary School Dance Network

Drama Notebook Sharing Group