Subject: Headteacher doubles up as lollipop lady

A Suffolk school headteacher is having to double up as a lollipop lady because cash-strapped education bosses will no longer provide a crossing patrol.

Tania Johnson, head of Horringer Court Middle School, Bury St Edmunds, is picking up the lollipop and donning a flourescent jacket and boots, reports the East Anglian Daily Times.

She and fellow teachers decided to take on the role after Suffolk County Council said they would not be replacing the school's lollipop man who retired last week.

Mrs Johnson said: "We got together and decided it was a crossing that needed to be manned and our premise here is if the children are happy and safe they will learn, so we thought it was important they could safely arrive."

Although having to fit in being a lollipop lady with being a headteacher was a "nightmare", she said it was nice to greet the children.

"It's such a nice exercise to do really. The children were doing double takes," she added.

"We are a middle school but our youngest children are only nine and they do need to be seen across and, at the end of the day, children do like to run out of school."

A Suffolk County Council spokesperson said: "Suffolk County Council appreciates the dedication and commitment of all school crossing patrol staff.

"The service is currently under review as part of the council's New Strategic Direction and, like all other services, it is subject to recruitment restrictions."