A SOUTHALL woman has gone back to school only this time she can call the teachers by their first names.

Saba Mukhtar first walked through the gates of Featherstone High School as a student in September 2001.

She returned to the Florence Road school at the beginning of this term, but now in a professional capacity as Ms Mukhtar the maths teacher.

She said: “I’ve returned to the school that I had first attended as a shy, nervous year seven student. I remember many of my previous teachers who are still at Featherstone now and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for my current career.

“It may seem strange to return to the school where you were taught, but for me it is like coming back to see a family that you left six years ago.

“The familiar faces and building inspire me with confidence and encourage me to pass on my knowledge that was embedded in me by my teachers. I am very excited about starting my career in such a good school.”

After leaving the school, Ms Mukhtar graduated from Brunel University, in Uxbridge, with a maths degree.

In the meantime the school underwent a massive transformation as £10million was invested in building a new sixth form and improving the school’s IT provision.

Headteacher Gerry Wadwa said: “We were delighted to hear that Saba has now chosen to start her career as a maths teacher at the school she attended six years ago.”