TAKING a year out isn’t something new for students heading towards university.

But spending that entire 12 months volunteering with a South American charity is.

Peebles High School’s Dux Girl, Esmé Pringle, has been selected by Project Trust to work as an assistant English teacher in Chile.

The 17-year-old from Innerleithen has undergone an intensive selection process at the charity’s base on the Isle of Coll.

Esmé, who has been offered a place at Cambridge University, is currently studying Advanced Highers in Human, Social and Political Sciences as well as Spanish.

And she hopes to put all of her experience from Peebles High to good use in the Chilean classrooms.

Esmé said: “My time in Chile will not only allow me to mature and better prepare for uni but also to make a positive impact on the small community I will be part of.” It is expected Esmé that will team up with the Chilean charity Belén Educa.

Volunteers who work as language assistants will be based in schools in socially deprived areas of the capital Santiago, with the aim of providing a high level of education.

It is their belief that by increasing education in these poor areas, many children will be able to escape poverty and increase their standard of living. Being able to speak English greatly improves chances of employment in Chile.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds get a huge benefit from learning English from a native speaker.

To fulfil her part of the charity’s work, Esmé must raise £5,000 by the end of August.

And she is already approaching her first £1,000 on her fundraising page - justgiving.com/esmepringle - with some initial fundraising and donations from friends and family.

Esmé added: “I am already fundraising and writing to charitable trusts in order to raise this huge amount of money.” Next month there will be a 'Get Esmé to Chile’ concert at the MacArts Centre in Galashiels.

The evergreen Border Boogie Band will headline with support from Umbel.

The concert on Friday, March 13, will also have a raffle with prizes such as a Stobo Health Spa visit and tickets for Traquair Fair up for grabs.

Tickets, priced at £7.50 and £5 are available on the door.