This week, 20 of our incredibly talented Year 9 students had the extraordinary opportunity to perform on the iconic stage of the Liverpool Empire Theatre—an experience that was truly unforgettable and one that will stay with them for a lifetime.

 

Since January, our students have been working in partnership with the Liverpool Empire’s Creative Learning Team on an ambitious and inspiring initiative called “The Greatest City in the World”. This exciting project brought together several hand-picked schools from across the North West, inviting them to explore the themes and ideas of the musical Hamilton, using the rich and dynamic history of Liverpool as their canvas.

 

The project began with an exploration of music and spoken word, with each school starting by composing their own beats. These were based on the natural rhythms of spoken word—syllables, stresses, and cadences. From these simple beginnings, the compositions grew in complexity, evolving into layered polyrhythms. Our students recorded and multitracked these beats, before writing original lyrics that reflected their assigned era in Liverpool’s history.

 

Next came the staging. Students collaborated with professionals to shape and refine their performance—choreographing movements, considering blocking, and rehearsing their delivery. This was not just about standing on stage and speaking or singing; this was about storytelling through performance, using the tools of professional theatre to bring the city’s past to life.

 

The culmination of this hard work was a dazzling performance at the Liverpool Empire, in front of a live audience of peers, teachers, and members of the wider community. The production as a whole journeyed through the defining moments of Liverpool’s remarkable story:

  • The Founding of Liverpool (1207)
  • The Industrial Revolution and Economic Growth (1800s)
  • The Story of Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs (1878 and 1892)
  • The Titanic (1912)
  • The Liverpool Blitz (1940–41)
  • The Birth of the Beatles and the Merseybeat Era (1960s)
  • The Dockers’ Strike and Dock Regeneration (1995–1998)
  • Liverpool’s Film Industry (including Brookside!)
  • European Capital of Culture (2008)
  • Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool (2023)

 

Great Sankey were selected to represent one of the most celebrated and culturally iconic chapters—The Beatles and the era of Beatlemania. And wow, did our students deliver! Their performance was a brilliant mix of energy, confidence, creativity and flair. They told the story of Liverpool’s global music legacy with such passion and professionalism that it truly lit up the stage.

 

It was clear to everyone in the audience just how much time, thought and effort had gone into every detail—from the lyrical content to the rhythm and flow of the piece, from the harmonies in their music to the power in their delivery. The students worked with such maturity and enthusiasm throughout the project, representing Great Sankey High School with immense pride.

 

For many of our students, this was their first experience of performing in a professional theatre. To do so on the same stage that has hosted countless West End productions and legendary artists is a massive achievement—and one they will never forget.

 

Projects like this are more than just performances; they are opportunities for young people to find their voice, build confidence, and be part of something bigger than themselves. They encourage collaboration, self-expression and a deeper appreciation for the arts and their connection to history and identity.

 

To our amazing Year 9 students—we are so proud of you all. Your talent, dedication and teamwork were outstanding, and you embraced this challenge with such positivity and excitement. You truly brought Beatlemania to life, and you’ve made a memory that will last a lifetime.

 

Congratulations to everyone involved—what a show, what an opportunity, and what a moment in your journey. Bravo!