WESTLEIGH High School pupil Sarah Bamber developed a love of art from her teacher Gillian Roberts.

Now Sarah has gone back to the classroom as a teacher and replaces the mistress who ignited her passion.

A pupil between 1987 and 1992 she has returned to her roots to take art and textiles.

After leaving Westleigh with 9 GCSEs including As in RE and Art, Sarah studied art at Wigan and Leigh College before doing a degree in design textiles at Bolton Institute.

After a gap year she completed teacher training in Manchester last year.

Head teacher John Pout, said: "I am delighted that Sarah has joined the team. She is a very talented teacher.

'The fact that she is the first ex-pupil to teach at the school provides our students with an excellent role model of what can be achieved."

Sarah said: "Art education can reach a lot of children. It is important to release the creative talent that every child possesses.

"Wigan Council's reputation for arts education is so good I wanted to work in the borough.

"Coming back to Westleigh seems a bit strange and it has changed tremendously since I left. There is more on offer, better facilities and better buildings.

"When I was at the school there was no real uniform but the children now look very smart. But the one thing that has not changed is the supportive, family orientated atmosphere."