Salma Kausar, 31, left school without any qualifications but is now pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher.

The Rochdale mum, whose youngest child is just five-months-old, was unsure about spelling and adding up and wanted to help her children with homework.

But after taking a basic skills course at primary school, she has quickly gone on to study English and maths in more detail.

She balanced studying with looking after children Mohammed Sabi, 12, Iza, 10, Qudsia, eight, Fizah, six, Mohammed Adeel, five, Mohammed Shaaref, four, and five-month-old Mohammed Qasim.

She is studying for a GCSE in maths and has nearly completed a teaching assistant course at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale, which will allow her to work in schools.

Salma, whose ultimate goal is to go to university and become a primary school teacher, said she would not have been able to do the course without help from her family.

She said: "At first I just wanted to improve my maths and English as my oldest child was going to secondary school and I wanted to support him. My aunt and other relatives have helped look after the young ones."

To recognise her achievements, she is being presented with an award at an event in Rochdale town hall showcasing learning opportunities.

ENDS