PERFORMING arts school Stagecoach is celebrating achieving a record number of distinctions in the latest round of LAMDA exams.

All 15 students who entered came away with top marks in last autumn’s exams, to the delight of Stagecoach Swindon’s principal Sheryll Fox.

A proud Sheryll said: “These are the best exam results we have ever had. A couple of years ago we got 11 out of 15 distinctions, so to get the full 15 is brilliant.

“The LAMDA exams have a reputation for being particularly difficult as the marking is very strict.

“I am so proud of how hard all of the children worked towards these exams and my fabulous team of teachers.”

The high scoring students, all between nine and 15 years old, took exams in verse and prose, acting and musical theatre.

Sheryll, who has run Stagecoach Swindon for almost 18 years, said: “The students were delighted with the results. Everyone always hopes for a distinction, so to get one is brilliant. What’s great is that all the children really enjoyed the process. It wasn’t just about passing the exam and getting a grade, they loved taking part in it as well.”

The results are the culmination of training that students undergo each term under the rules of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts examining board, otherwise known as LAMDA.

As Sheryll explained: “These exams are for individuals who have decided to take things a step further. They are for those who wish to stretch themselves a little more. They are really good preparation for auditions for drama college and they help the pupils improve as performers.

“Each term we coach and enter children for exams and we are used to getting great results. But for all of the children to be awarded top marks is wonderful. I am very proud of all of them.”