A Black Country teenager who dreams of performing in the West End has become one of the first to receive a national award for completion of an apprenticeship.

Jessie Robinson, a former pupil at The Kingswinford School, has been presented with the Outstanding Performance Award at The Young Apprenticeship Awards 2008. The 15-year-old from Holbeache Road, Wall Heath, has completed a two-year BTEC performing arts course which involved honing her singing, dancing and acting abilities.

The course culminated in a production of Showtime! at The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton alongside professional actors from the West End.

The youngster had to step in when a professional actor fell ill and sing “On My Own” from Les Miserables. Susan Elkin from industry publication The Stage judged the award and said of Jessie’s performance: “It was sung with impressive dramatic conviction and was a moving performance.

“She has plenty of power, accurate intonation, clear diction and good dynamic range with a surprising level of control for one so young.

“I’m not surprised Jessie bowled the audience over,” she added. Awards were created by the Learning Skills Council to celebrate the achievements of all students who took part in the young apprenticeships in the subjects of art and design and performing arts.

Jessie’s mother Cassie Robinson said: “She was stunned to receive the award and now she hopes to pursue a career in musical theatre.”

More than 70 students and teachers attended the red carpet ceremony at London’s Design Museum.