Year 10 student Chanel Pritchard, 14, has just landed a coveted place at the Performers College in Essex, a breeding ground for dancers and choreographers who have gone on to work on the likes of Strictly, The Spice Girls Tour, Bridgerton and the Elton John movie Rocketman, to name a few.

Chanel will travel to the college once a month while she is still at school.

Mum Kiran explained: “It is extremely hard to get onto this course. Chanel had to do an online audition and she sent in her Modern solo performance from Lake Academy in Seaford, where she currently dances, and a lyrical solo which she choreographed and edited all by herself. She also had to write about her past experiences in dance to persuade them to give her a place.”

Chanel has been dancing since the age of two and is now an accomplished dancer in Tap, Ballet, Musical theatre, Pointe, Commercial, Acro, Contemporary, disco and singing.

She said: “I really would like to go to dance college after school, then progress to university, with my ultimate dream being to perform in the West End.”

The 14-year-old has a hectic schedule – she is also Young Mayor of Seaford and has spent the last year raising money for various charities as part of her role. In December she teamed up with former Masterchef winner and owner of Hove’s Etch restaurant Steven Edwards to offer a raffled free meal at the top eaterie.

Lewes Old Grammar School dance teacher Jess Lloyd said: “Chanel is an exceptionally talented dancer with a real gift for contemporary and modern and lyrical dance. She is a real asset to our dance community, bringing knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to classes.”

Head of year Louise Webster said: “We are very proud of Chanel and look forward to seeing her in the West End in a couple of years!”