A SHEPLEY teenager has her sights set on the West End stage after being accepted by one of the best theatre schools in the country.

Sarah Joy Davies, 19, will be following in the footsteps of stars including Victoria Beckham when she takes up her place at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey.

The former Greenhead College student was among 1,000 hopefuls who applied for the prestigious performing arts college.

She couldn’t believe it when she heard she was among the lucky 80 chosen to start next September.

Sarah Joy said: “It was unbelievable. I was so thrilled, I just cried.

“I was meant to apply last year but I injured my hip so I wasn’t ready.

“It is something I have always wanted to do since I was little.

“I just can’t wait to go.”

Sarah Joy started dancing at the Georgie School of Dance, Shelley, at the age of three.

Her flair for ballet, tap, modern street and contemporary dance all helped her impress Laine’s judging panel during her one-day audition in October.

The talented student had to complete auditions in drama, jazz and ballet to win her place.

She also had to do a dance solo and perform a singing solo.

It took months of specialist pilates classes to prepare her for the big day after she seriously damaged her hip.

Dance teacher Donna George arranged for Sarah Joy to attend sessions at Highfield Pilates Studio in Holmfirth – run by former principal ballerina Graciela Kaplan.

Together, they helped get Sarah Joy dancing again.

“It was never really confirmed but I either had a slight fracture or a torn muscle,” said Sarah Joy.

“But my dance teacher worked so hard to get me dancing again.

“I know it is going to be hard work both mentally and physically.

“I will be dancing and singing everyday.

“But this is my big chance to do something I have always wanted.

“I just love musical theatre and really enjoy going to see musicals.

“It just feels like I’m getting closer to my dream now.”

Sarah Joy already has a wealth of stage work behind her after taking the lead role in Greenhead College’s Guys and Dolls last year.

She also took part in drama sessions at the Lawrence Batley Theatre and was a pupil at Oscars College of Performance Arts in Edgerton.

She is now planning her move to Epsom, Surrey, where she will study for the next three years.