Woldingham old girl, Carey Mulligan has been nominated for an Oscar for her debut-lead film role in Nick Hornby's 'An Education'.

Just seven years after leaving Woldingham she is a top contender for a BAFTA award in February. She is nominated for the rising star award which is voted on by the public and also for the Best Actress award.

The 24-year-old English actress has already scooped Best Actress prize at the British Independent Film Awards in December 2009 for the same role.

Since the age of 17, while still at Woldingham where she was the drama prefect, Carey has stuck doggedly to what she aspired to and when she finally landed the role of Kitty in Pride and Prejudice, alongside Judi Dench, she found that other parts started to come her way. The BBC's Bleak House, The Hypochondriac at the Almeida, ITV's Trial & Retribution and Chekhov's The Seagull all followed over the course of only a few years and she admits to a feeling of disbelief about the buzz that is following her around.

Her drama teacher at Woldingham School, Judith Brown, recalled in 2005 "Not only is she very talented but she also has the right temperament and determination to succeed." Her friends have supported her throughout and flew out to New York for the East Coast premiere of An Education.