Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome international singer-songwriter Harlee back to Great Sankey High School for a very special visit.

 

Harlee spent the day delivering assemblies to students, combining live music with important messages around mental health, bullying and online safety. Drawing on her own experiences, she spoke openly about her time at school, the challenges she has faced, and the journey that has taken her from being a student at Great Sankey to building a successful career in the music industry.

 

Having flown back from her residency in Ibiza the previous evening, Harlee shared stories from both her personal life and professional career before opening the floor to questions from students. There was plenty of interest throughout the day, with students keen to hear more about her experiences, ask questions about the music industry and, of course, get photographs and autographs.

 

Harlee also performed a live set featuring some of the songs she has worked on during her career, including ‘Lonely’, written with Joel Corry, ‘Afraid’ with James Hype, and her latest original single, ‘Don’t Get Mad, Get Even’.

 

What made the visit particularly special was Harlee’s connection to our school. She is a former Great Sankey High School student, having studied GCSE Music here around ten years ago, before continuing her studies at Barrow Hall College. She later went on to secure a record deal with a label in New York and has since established herself as an international singer-songwriter and performer.

 

Throughout the day, there was a real sense of excitement among students, but the visit went far beyond the opportunity to see a live performance. Harlee’s honesty about her own experiences and the messages she shared gave students plenty to think about, both from a PSHE perspective and in terms of future careers and aspirations.

 

Students continued talking about the visit throughout the day, reflecting on Harlee’s story, the advice she shared and the important messages behind the assemblies. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to hear first-hand from someone who once sat in the same classrooms and has gone on to build an exciting international career.

 

We are incredibly proud to see what Harlee has achieved since leaving Great Sankey and Barrow Hall College, and we are very grateful to her for taking the time to return and inspire our students.

 

Students and families can follow Harlee’s music and career using the QR code shown in the first image.

 

We are very proud of you, Harlee, and it was fantastic to welcome you back to Great Sankey.