An aspiring star of the stage from Stotfold is all set to take a giant step forward towards her dream career after winning a spot at a prestigious performing arts school in Scotland.

Aisling Thomas, who is in sixth form at St Christopher School in Letchworth, will start a three-year dance course at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh this summer.

The move north of the border will be a dramatic change of scene for the 18-year-old, whose dancing story began with Hot House Dance in Hitchin and the DLJ School of Dance.

“One of the reasons I applied to the MGA Academy is because Edinburgh is far from home for me,” said Aisling.

“I want to be travelling the world, not close to home. I would love to be on cruise ships and on tours as a backing dancer for celebrities and in music videos.

“This is the first step in me becoming more independent and being away from family.”

Aisling has described the arrival of the acceptance letter as like something out of a film.

“I did the audition on the Sunday and got a text from my dad on the Wednesday while I was at school to say the letter had come through the post.

“My friend drove me home and my family was all around. It was a proper Billy Elliot moment, with everyone looking at the letter but not knowing what to do.

“I read the first couple of lines, then saw the words ‘unconditional offer’. I was so excited!

“The audition didn’t feel like a competition as it did at other schools – it was a lovely atmosphere to be in.

“I performed a prepared contemporary dance and had an informal interview before all the dancers participated in a jazz workshop.

“I was really in the zone and felt like I should be there.”

The academy’s managing director Andrew Gowland said: “We look forward to welcoming Aisling. She is already very talented and impressed all the staff during her audition, but we are confident the training she receives here will help her achieve her dream.”