A DRAMA teacher has netted £5,000 for her school through her success as an international singing star.

Kate Chapman, 31, was due to start her new job at a Chorley high school at the beginning of September but got the offer of a lifetime to sing in South Africa.

Holy Cross Catholic High School head teacher Ivan Gaughan allowed her to have the first two days of term off, when there were no students in, and in return the organiser of the concert in Johannesburg gave the school £5,000.

Now the money will be spent on their production of Oliver! and on other performing arts events at Holy Cross.

“I sang in the West End in various musicals including The Enchanted Pig and West Side Story when I was younger,” said Kate, who lives in Euxton.

“Then earlier this year I was on a cruise with my parents and met Brian Joffe who is a South African entrepreneur who hosts a large charity festival in his home country every year.

“We got talking, he listened to my CD and asked me to perform in South Africa.

“I was due to start school in September but he promised £5,000 to the school if I could take the two days off and sing at his event.”

Mr Gaughan agreed and Kate admitted it was a breathtaking experience.

She added: “David Blaine, the illusionist, was there and I got to meet him.

“I sang various songs from the musicals in front of 2,900 people over three nights.

“I landed back from South Africa at 8.30am and was in school for 9.30am to make sure I only missed a couple of days.”

The money has now been transferred to the school and Kate, one of two drama teachers at Holy Cross, is excited that it will be spent on her chosen subject.

“We are working on Oliver! which will be performed in February and we have been able to acquire a live band for each of the shows thanks to the money,” said Kate.

“We will also spend some of the money on more performing arts.”