A PRIMARY head has launched a frantic recruitment drive — as eight of her teachers are pregnant or have just had babies.
Nicky Donley, 55, is desperately hunting for maternity cover amid the baby boom.
Three of her staff have already given birth, while the other five are due in the coming weeks.
It means a third of the 23 teachers at the school are likely to be on maternity leave at the same time.
Nicky said: “Every time someone came into the office to ask, ‘Can I have a word?’, I said, ‘It’s all right — I already know’.
“Then I realised it was all because of Covid.
read more on pregnancy
“We didn’t have any births for two years — none at all.
“Everyone was waiting because they didn’t want to go into hospital at the height of the pandemic.
“We normally only have 20-odd teachers and are relying on supply at the moment.
“We’re trying to get maternity cover.”
Most read in Fabulous
Between them, the eight mums and mums-to-be, six are responsible for teaching more than 150 of the 560 pupils, aged three to 11, at Kirton Primary in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Chloe Roberts, 28, was the first to give birth on August 5 last year, with the arrival of son Oliver Hasan.
Then, Alex Cairns, 27, had son Alfie George Bowness a fortnight into this year.
Next was Natalie East, 30, who welcomed baby Frankie Potter at the beginning of this month.
But the patter of tiny feet turned into a stampede.
Also into the head’s office with her joyful news was Hannah Gibson, 28, who is now 34 weeks pregnant with a boy.
Next came Aimee Valentine, 28, who is 26 weeks.
She was followed by Lauren Lowe, 28, who is now 23 weeks and expecting a girl.
Catherine Brine, also 28, had just left the head’s office with her good news when Hannah Pye, another 28-year-old, came knocking on the door.
Catherine is now 21 weeks pregnant and Hannah is 19 weeks — and both are expecting girls.
Nicky said: “The first arrivals have been born just weeks apart.
“The next four will be even closer together.
“Now everyone is bringing their babies to the Christmas party and it is going to be lovely.”
New mum Natalie said: “When Lauren told me she was pregnant I just shrieked ‘No way’. I could not believe it.”
Lauren added: “Then I found out Aimee was pregnant.
"She wanted to share my baby shower with me and do another one in school.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Natalie’s partner, Simon Potter, 31, said: “I actually had no idea that so many of the teachers were pregnant.
“Natalie must have known but did not breathe a word.”
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jp%2BYm62cpMK0e5FranFqYWV%2BcLzRoqSaqqliwKS0zqijZqCVlrFuvsScqa6hpKKyr8CMrZyam5iav7R5z6ucoKaRo8Fw