A HOLIDAY to South Africa took an unexpected turn for a Keighley teacher who found herself helping young South African students with their chemistry studies.

While it wasn't quite back to the classroom for Rachel Pickles, she did end up supporting secondary school students from deprived backgrounds after visiting a library at the University of Pretoria Mamelodi campus.

Miss Pickles, who is a science teacher at Holy Family Catholic School, was in South Africa over the summer holidays to visit her aunt and uncle.

She explained that she went to the Mae Jemison Library in Mamelodi East with her uncle Phil Craig, who has volunteered at this library for five years.

Miss Pickles said: "My uncle has a Masters in criminology and used to teach public services at college.

"I went to the library initially just to have a look and I saw it was being very well used by dozens of students who have nowhere else to study.

"While I was there I spotted a chemistry paper and was asked by the students if I could give them some help with it.

"So that's what I ended up doing. It was a huge eye-opener for me.

"The mock exam paper they were doing was the equivalent of our A-level standard, and the South African students were studying it for their final year exams.

"Unlike the pupils I teach here they had no laboratory in their school, no Internet, nothing to help them.

"At school they have 13 30 minute lessons each day and there's about 60 kids in a class, so they can't have much individual attention.

"Also they are learning in what to them is a second language.

"But in spite of all that they were able to grasp this A-level standard chemistry so quickly, because they had a strong desire to learn and to work their way out of poverty.

"They were doing an extra three hours a day in the library on top of their normal school day."

Miss Pickles, who was on her first ever trip to South Africa, said she hopes to continue her involvement with the library and the pupils who use it.

Holy Family deputy head Damian Moore said: "Miss Pickles is an inspirational woman who inspires both students and staff at our school on a daily basis.

"She has made the world of science come alive for thousands of students who have passed through the school.

"The fact that she is prepared to give up her holiday time to help students in other parts of the world speaks volumes about her kindness. I don't think she realises how special she is."