Many people have left their mark on the world after humble beginnings in Liverpool
13:49, 03 Aug 2025Updated 14:36, 03 Aug 2025
Steven Gerrard is one of many famous faces that call Liverpool home(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
There are hundreds of primary schools across Merseyside that welcome pupils through their doors every day. Primary schools are essential for the learning of children and for obtaining fundamental skills for their future like reading and writing. It also allows children to improve social skills and make friends.
Some of Liverpool’s most famous faces can thank their primary school for helping on the journey towards success. Many people discovered their love for certain professions such as acting or singing while at school, and some celebrities even credit teachers for helping them along the way.
As the summer holidays are in full swing, we have rounded up some famous Scousers and the school they attended before finding fame.
From sports stars to musicians and actors, the list can go on of the people who continue to make the city proud. So many people have left their mark on the world after humble beginnings in Liverpool, the city continues to see new talent break-through all the time.
We recently published an article about the high school attended by celebrities in the Merseyside region. Our list isn’t exhaustive by any means, so please let us know your favourite Liverpool celebrity in the comments below.
Alex Greenwood
Bootle’s Alex Greenwood (Image: 2025 The FA/Getty Images)
Alex Greenwood was part of the EURO 2025 winning squad. The footballer played every game for the Lionesses and scored a winning penalty in the final as they beat Spain 3-1 on penalties. The two-time Euro winner, who has also played for both Liverpool and Everton, has came a long way since playing for Bootle’s Northfield Football Club.
Growing up in Bootle, Greenwood attended St Monica’s RC Primary School on Aintree Road and later Savio Salesian College, which is now called The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, on Netherton Way.
Speaking to England Football, Greenwood said: “I played for St Monica’s Primary School, where the boys were so open to me playing. I never had any issues with me playing growing up.
“They treated me like a little sister and would look after me. I would get the odd look because it was a girl playing but as soon as I stepped on the pitch, it would all change.”
Curtis Jones
Liverpool player Curtis Jones during a pre-season training session (Image: 2025 Liverpool FC/Getty Images)
Currently one of Arne Slot’s top men in midfield, Jones has never turned his back on his roots. Jones was born on January 30, 2001. His early years were spent living in Toxteth as he attended St Vincent de Paul Primary School in Liverpool city centre. It was on a school trip that he would be spotted by the Liverpool FC Academy, aged nine.
Last year, the ECHO paid a visit to St Vincent de Paul, to meet the people who were there at the beginning, and who helped mould him into the man he is today. Speaking about their former pupil, the school’s assistant head teacher Peter Allen said he “only have good things to say about that young man.”
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is a Liverpool legend(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard attended Huyton-with-Roby Church of England Primary School. In 2012, the Istanbul hero returned to his primary school to celebrate becoming only the sixth person to play 100 games for England.
He told the Mail at the time: “I haven’t been back for about seven or eight years, so part of the reason for wanting to have the picture taken there was to share it with the teachers and the children.
“That was the first place where I kicked a ball. None of my family would have thought then that I’d go on to play for England.” Huyton-with-Roby was known as St Michael’s Church of England Primary School when Gerrard was a pupil there.
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher grew up in Bootle(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher attended All Saints Primary School in Bootle, formerly known as ‘St James’. It is where the Reds defender’s love for football started and he developed the skills that would take him to play at Anfield for 17 years.
In an interview with The Times, Carragher has previously spoken about his school days, saying: “It was great growing up there. It was football non-stop.
“On one side of Marsh Lane there was the Brunswick Boys’ Club. That’s where I learnt football. The school was on the other side of the road. You’d play football at school, and when it was finished, cross the street to the Brunny and play again. That was your life.”
Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham at the 2025 Gotham Television Awards held at Cipriani Wall Street (Image: 2025 Penske Media/Getty Images)
Kirkby-born actor Stephen Graham attended Overdale Junior School. He told the ECHO in 2016: “To me education is very important, we can take education for granted in this country, but there’s young people in different countries who don’t get the opportunity for education.”
While in primary school, Stephen performed so well in a school play, Treasure Island, where he acted Hawkins, that his teacher recommended that he consider acting. Throughout his career, the This is England star has featured in tens of movies and played many memorable roles in TV series.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Silver medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Team Great Britain celebrates at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Image: 2024 Getty Images)
English track and field athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson was raised in Halewood and attended St Mark’s Catholic Primary School. KJT done herself and the nation proud in the Women’s Heptathlon as she won her first Olympic medal last year.
The Liverpool-born athlete put on a stellar performance throughout the heptathlon beating several season best records and even achieving a couple of personal bests. She left Paris with a silver medal.
Specialising in the heptathlon, it was at the school on Fir Avenue where Katarina was first introduced to athletics at around seven years old.
Wayne Rooney
Former professional footballer and current TV Pundit Wayne Rooney (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney was a pupil at Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School, Croxteth. When he was presented with his 100th England cap in 2014, he returned to the school.
The former England captain surprised 99 excited pupils at Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School – and gave each one an England shirt. Teachers said he spent four hours at the school talking with youngsters, signing their shirts and Match Attax cards and listening to their hopes for the future.
Headteacher Sandra Hamilton said: “He was so easy to talk to and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with the kids. He said he loved the fact that the children looked so happy. He has got every value that we value and he gives the kids belief.”
Abbey Clancy
Abbey Clancy attends day four of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships(Image: 2025 Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Model Abbey Clancy grew up in the Woolton area of Liverpool. She attended St Mary’s Primary School and St Julie’s Catholic High School in the area. She first graced our screens when crowned runner-up on Britain’s Next Top Model in 2006 – the same year she met husband Peter Crouch.
Abbey had a little known career as a singer in a girl band. Back in 2003, the model was just 17-years-old and part of girl group Genie Queen.
Melanie Chisolm
Melanie C is one fifth of the famous girl group The Spice Girls(Image: Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Pimm’s)
Mel C rose to fame as one of the Spice Girls, she grew up in Widnes, attending Brookvale Junior School in nearby Runcorn. Speaking to Tes magazine, Mel spoke about her school days, saying: “My first taste of being on stage was at junior school, when I was Gretel in Hansel and Gretel.
“I didn’t expect to get the lead role and I was shocked. From that moment I thought ‘I quite like this’.” She found huge levels of fame in the mid-1990s and earned the nickname “sporty spice” from fans of the girl band. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls are the best-selling female group of all time.
Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett (Image: Megan Briggs, Getty Images)
Paddy grew up in Huyton and attended St Margaret Mary’s Primary School and Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School. His interest in MMA was sparked at the age of 15 after watching a fight between Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort at UFC 103.
He made his professional debut in 2012 at the age of 17 and quickly made a name for himself with a 3-0 record before signing with Cage Warriors in 2013. The 30-year-old extended his winning streak in the UFC to seven when he defeated Michael Chandler by TKO at UFC 314 in April, which took place in Miami.
David Morrissey
Actor David Morrissey pictured in Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The actor known for roles in Doctor Who and The Walking Dead attended St Margaret Mary’s Primary School in Huyton. David had early encouragement from a teacher named Miss Keller, who cast him as the Scarecrow in a school production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz when he was 11 years old.
On the advice of a cousin, he joined the Everyman Youth Theatre. Born in Liverpool, David left to study in London at RADA and since then has secured many impressive and challenging roles, which have continued into his long career.
Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca Ferguson(Image: Liverpool ECHO/Andrew Teebay)
The former X Factor finalist attended Woolton County Primary School. Her mum previously told the ECHO: “She always wanted to be a singer. She used to sing her heart out when she was at Woolton County Primary School.
“She was always singing in the house but when I saw her really belting it out in the choir I realised her voice was blossoming. I started to take her for singing lessons but she was expecting to sing pop songs so it wasn’t really for her.
“[Her inspiration] comes from going through life and the trials in her life. She used to sit in her room and write songs and poetry. She had a very soulful voice. Singing was her escape.”