Sixth Form student, Phao Wheatley, 18, beat nearly 5,000 applicants to gain a place at the prestigious Royal 
Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Phao, who is a student at Burgess Hill School for Girls, will take her place on the Acting Foundation Course in September with a group of just 31 other successful students.
Phao is currently a member of the National Youth Theatre and performed to athletes in the Olympic Village during the London 2012 games last year.
She has starred in many school productions during her 12 years at Burgess Hill School for Girls, including the lead role of Saramouche in the sell-out production of ‘We Will Rock You’ in March. She is also a member of the dance school, Tanzen Academy in Ardingly.
Phao is currently studying A Levels in French, Spanish and Drama and Theatre Studies at Burgess Hill School for Girls. Head of Drama, Mrs Emma Cassim said, “Phao is a shining light in the dramatic life of the school, an incredibly talented, lovely and hardworking student and we are so proud of her.”