County headteacher death shock

A Shropshire headteacher who put children "at the centre of all she did" has died of a blood clot after her pregnancy went wrong.

Nicola Jamie, 40, who had been trying for a baby for more than four years, was found dead at the top of the stairs of her Telford home by her distraught husband Bill.

He today paid tribute to his wife as an "amazing" person and devoted teacher.

She was headteacher of Martin Wilson Primary School, Castlefields, Shrewsbury.

"Nicola was passionate about everything, very creative and always active," he said.

"She was totally inclusive as a teacher - no matter how children were struggling or were at risk of being kicked out of school, she would never abandon them or let them down.

"We could not have been closer and did everything together."

Passionate

A spokesman for the school and governors said: "She was a visionary and creative headteacher, who was much loved and will be sadly missed by the whole school community."

Mrs Jamie, of Bennetts Bank, Wellington, was born in Southampton and had been with Mr Jamie for 13 years. They married two-and-a-half years ago.

Mr Jamie, 51, who manages a children's home in Bishop's Castle, said his wife had undergone fertility treatment resulting in an ectopic pregnancy four years ago.

"She desperately wanted children and had always believed in her heart she would get pregnant later in life," he said.

Mrs Jamie had a second ectopic pregnancy, this time without any drug treatment, had emergency surgery at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and was discharged home on January 20.

Still in pain she visited Telford's Princess Royal Hospital for a check-up on January 26 and was told her symptoms were normal.

But, on February 12, Mr Jamie rushed home from work after being unable to reach her on the phone all day, where he found her.

A post-mortem revealed the cause of death was pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis. An inquest was opened yesterday and adjourned for 12 weeks.

By Peter Johnson