Sixth former Katie Walton is still on Cloud Nine after being offered a place with the youth company of RADA.

The Beaumont School student got a call from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art based in Central London to say she was had won one of the 16 places in the youth company.

Katie, 16, auditioned with around 200 other young people aged 16 to 20 earlier in September so was up against fierce competition.

She will be one of the youngest members of the youth company of RADA which is regarded as one of the best drama schools in the country.

Katie will be attending RADA each Saturday during term times over 2015/16, culminating in two public performances of a classical work next August.

She will have the privilege of learning from an experienced RADA teacher and develop her acting and theatre performance skills. As well as learning about Stanislavsky and Meisner, she will work on techniques such as improvisation, devising methods, Alexander technique, stage combat, text work, voice work and movement.

Katie is a member of the Company of Teens in St Albans and took the role of Juliet in their production of Romeo and Juliet this summer.

Rosemarie Partridge, principal of Theatrix Performing Arts school in St Albans, said: “RADA Youth Company is exceptionally hard to get into and Katie has done remarkably well to gain a place.

“Katie has a passion and talent for theatre but also has the discipline and hardworking ethics that has contributed to this wonderful achievement. This should stand her in good stead as she pursues her dream of becoming an actor. We wish her every success.”