Lois Fletcher, 16, who is currently a pupil at Parkstone Grammar School for Girls, will be heading up to Hertfordshire this autumn to study acting at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Former pupils include Lily James (Disney’s Cinderella and star of Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again) and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Last Jedi and Murder on the Orient Express).

Lois discovered her passion for performing at the age of five when she sang in the school choir. She then went on to join Swanage Musical Theatre, performing in shows including Annie, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver and Sister Act at before joining the Dorset Drama Academy.

She now attends the Dorset School of Acting and is also a member of Purbeck Arts Choir in the junior section.

Lois said, “I never imagined that I would be lucky enough to get in. There are 20 places on my course, 70 in the whole year and more than 1,000 people applying. At Tring Park School, the atmosphere is buzzing; I felt the positive energy from all the other students.”

Lois’s mum Rachel added, “‘No-one in our family has come from an arts background so when Lois was offered a place at Tring it was a total shock. Words can’t describe how proud I am of her.”

Tring Park School is both a day and boarding school for students aged eight to 19. Alongside a broad academic curriculum, the school offers courses in dance, acting and musical theatre to learners up to the age of 16. Sixth Form students are able to study Acting, Musical Theatre and Commercial Music up to age 18 alongside A- levels, while dancers can take a three-year course, graduating at age 19.