Over 100 students from across The 3-18 Education Trust’s primary and secondary schools came together in October for A Night At The Musicals—an inspiring evening of dance, music and performance.
With performers aged four to sixteen, the show was a wonderful celebration of belonging and showcased the journey from our youngest to our eldest students. Hosted at The Edge Arts Centre at William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, the event brought together children from five Trust primary schools—Bowbrook, Coleham, Hodnet, John Wilkinson, and Much Wenlock—and two secondary schools—The Priory and William Brookes.
The programme featured a fantastic mix of solo and group dances, each one bursting with energy and creativity.
Ellie Madden, Deputy Headteacher at Bowbrook Primary School and show organiser, summed up the spirit of the evening:
“As someone who has performed in musical theatre since the age of four, I am passionate about our children having the confidence to perform on stage. It is such an incredible opportunity to perform to an audience, and I know the buzz the performers will get from the show is one they will never forget.”
Highlights from an unforgettable evening of dance
Ruth Shaw, Headteacher at William Brookes School, gave the show a rave review:
“What an unforgettable evening of movement, music, and magic! As the host school, we were honoured to welcome dancers from across the Trust to celebrate our shared love of performance and creativity. The show was a vibrant collection of styles, ages, and abilities, and every single performer brought something special to the stage.”
The grand finale united all schools in a joyful, high-energy celebration. Ruth added: “There was no sense of competition, just a shared passion for movement, music and expression. The evening truly embodied the Trust’s vision: ‘every individual in a great school’. Tonight, every dancer was part of something great.”
William Brookes School opened the show with Dance the Night – a stunning number with dancers all dressed in pink. The piece showcased a range of ages and technical abilities, what a superb way to start the show!
Hodnet Primary School followed with Can’t Stop the Feeling, a burst of rainbow-coloured joy. Infectious energy, great musicality, and expressive movement lit up the stage.
Tamika-Rose from Much Wenlock Primary School gave a solo performance of You Will Be Found that was both brave and moving. Her confident stage presence, beautiful arm extensions and acrobatic elements created a powerful performance.
The Priory School brought Pitch Perfect to life with a dynamic fusion! High energy, sharp transitions, and a superb final pose nailed the ending.
Bowbrook Primary School performed Get Back Up Again with outfits that were my favourite of the evening – playful and full of personality! The choreography was upbeat and charming.
From Now On was a striking and emotionally resonant ensemble piece from William Brookes. The choreography was well-structured, with strong use of levels and dynamics. A professional and powerful performance.
William Brookes School returned with Hand Jive, a creative and inventive take on a classic. The choreography was rhythmic and infectious, with great costume flair – competition for Hodnet on the gorgeous skirt front!
Bowbrook Primary School stunned with Men in Black – a showstopper full of spark, character and fun. Complex choreography, slick transitions, and standout costumes made this feel like a professional performance!
A Million Dreams, from William Brookes, was a beautiful and accomplished piece. Graceful lines, expressive gestures and a lovely sense of ensemble made it truly memorable.
Lift You Up was full of personality and talent. Phoebe from Priory School stood out with her confident, energetic performance. A charming number with great stage presence.
Much Wenlock Primary School brought the house down with The Greatest Show. Cool, theatrical and full of flair. Loved the floor work and vocal integration. The joy on faces during “This is the Greatest Show!” was pure magic – sequins, acrobatics, cartwheels and piggybacks galore!
William Brookes School performed Writing’s on the Wall with a balletic opening and confetti that set the tone beautifully. Despite a false start, the dancers showed resilience and professionalism. A large ensemble reflecting the school’s deep love of dance.
Beth from Priory School closed the show with Red Alert—a high-energy solo full of character and musicality. A fantastic choice of song and a confident, expressive performance. Truly impressive!
Thank you to staff at all participating schools for their time and commitment to making this event such a huge success.
Notes for editors
The 3-18 Education Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) of primary and secondary schools across Shropshire, with a community of over 5,000 students.
For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk.
