Violet Tucker from Saffron Walden has won a scholarship for a full-time place at the prestigious Susi Earnshaw Theatre School in London.

The Reporter first featured 12-year-old Violet two years ago when she made her West End debut as Matilda in the musical of the same name with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She has since played Brigitta in the Sound of Music and is also appearing as Jane Banks in the musical Mary Poppins, which opened on Friday (July 8) at the Norwich National Theatre, and will be touring the UK until January 2017.

Having just turned 12, Violet will be moving from Saffron Walden County High at the end of term to take up her place at the performing arts school in High Barnet in September.

She won a scholarship after an audition earlier in the year, beating many young hopefuls from all over the country for the place.

Her mother Julieanne Steel said: “I am constantly amazed and proud of her achievements at such a young age and have committed to supporting her to pursue future opportunities.”

So much so that the family will be moving to London to be closer to the school where Violet will study academic subjects alongside the performing arts until Year 11.

Violet also attends the West End Masterclass in Covent Garden and the London Elite Dance Company at weekends.

Julieanne is no stranger to acting herself as she appeared in the hit TV children’s series Grange Hill, and can proudly boast she was in the same class as Zammo.

“She is a very easy going child and loves what she does,” said Julieanne. “She has so much energy and works very hard.

“She has a natural talent for musical theatre but is open to other roles in TV and film.”