A York woman who made a radical career change from hairdresser to teacher has "come home".

For mother-of-three Marie Ledgeway, 43, has got her first teaching job at the school were she went as a youngster - St Wilfrid's School in Monkgate - a move she describes as the "icing on the cake".

Returning to the school comes at the end of a long journey for Marie, who left the former Bar Convent School at 16 to become a hairdresser.

But she turned her back on her trade of 20 years to return to education aged 37, and started a degree in theology and religious studies at the College of York St John, where she completed a PGCE earlier this year.

Now she has landed her first job, providing maternity cover in the reception class at St Wilfrid's, starting full-time this week.

In 2001, Marie featured in the Evening Press after attending a screening of Educating Rita - a film staring Julie Walters as a hairdresser who leaves work to become a student - at City Screen in York.

Then she agreed to talk to other students about her decision to change career and embark on a degree.

Marie says she has come a long way since then, and does not regret for a minute the decision to go into teaching.

"Starting at St Wilfrid's was like a breath of fresh air, really to be in a classroom and just to be with the children is such a privilege.

"It hasn't changed all that much in the years since I first came here - it's like coming home really," said Marie.

Head teacher Colm Flanagan said Marie was one of a number of staff who started out life at the school and had returned to teach there.

He said: "Because it was maternity cover, we wanted to get somebody in who would hit the ground running. Marie has been absolutely great. She is a lovely, lovely person who has even came in to school on a voluntary basis ahead of time to get to know the class."

Although Marie's contract runs out halfway through the summer term, Mr Flanagan said he has been so impressed with her that if there is a job going he would certainly be looking to keep her on.

Updated: 09:29 Saturday, November 27, 2004