SCHOOLGIRL Scarlet Roche has taken her first pirouette towards becoming a professional dancer.

The 11-year-old from Haydonleigh Primary School has secured a coveted place at Tring’s Classical Ballet Academy and also won a full scholarship at the English Youth Ballet.

Scarlet, who trains at the Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts, auditioned with 130 other dancers for the English Youth Ballet’s production of Swan Lake and was the only one awarded a full scholarship.

The Darcey Bussell fan was so surprised she had to check that it was her number that had been called.

She said: “I was shocked when they gave me the full scholarship at Swan Lake.”

Scarlet will begin rehearsing for Swan Lake at the end of August in time for the opening night on September 20 at the New Theatre Oxford.

Scarlet also secured her place at Tring’s after auditioning with 100 other dancers, and can’t wait to start attending every other Sunday from September as part of her training.

Gemma Short, principal at the Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts, said: “Everyone at the dance school is very proud. She has worked so hard and we hope she enjoys the fabulous opportunities.”

The good news has been a whirlwind for the family from Haydon Wick, coming in the same week as Scarlet took her SATs and celebrated her birthday.

Her mum Louise said: “It’s brilliant. I’m so pleased, mainly because she works particularly hard.”