Head of Epsom College is found dead alongside daughter, seven, and husband at independent school
>
Shocked parents have paid tribute to the Epsom College headmistress after she was found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter and husband.
The bodies of Emma Pattison, 45, George, 39, and Lettie, seven, were discovered by officers on the grounds of the private school around 1:10 a.m. Sunday morning.
Surrey Police said they were confident the tragedy was an isolated incident and that there was no third-party involvement.
Ms Pattison had been headmistress for only five months, taking up the new role after six years in the same role at Croydon High School.
A mother from her previous school, who gave only her first name, described how Ms Pattison was ‘awesome’ and ‘changed the school’ during her time there.
The bodies of Emma Pattison, 45, George, 39, and Lettie, seven (pictured together), were discovered by officers at the public school around 1:10 a.m. Sunday morning.
Emma Pattison, 45, was one of three people found dead at the school on Sunday morning. She had taken over as director of the prestigious university in September.
sheena said bbc news: ‘In her time as principal, she changed the school and did many things that enriched the lives of the children.
She was petite but formidable, she knew all the students by name. She was exactly what she would want in a director.
Known as an elite rugby school, Epsom College is an award-winning independent boarding and day school teaching over 850 boys and girls aged 11-18 and charging £42,000 a year in fees.
Ms Pattison became the school’s first headmistress in September last year, having spent more than six years in the same role at Croydon High School in south London.
She lived in the director’s house with her husband George, a CPA who was a director of a management consulting firm called Tanglewood 2016, and their daughter Lettie.
The following month, he took to Twitter to post photos in celebration of Epsom College winning Independent School of the Year 2022.
Ms. Pattison also told the students in December that her family had bought a Labrador retriever named Bella to live with them on the school grounds.
In a statement last night, a police spokesman said: “In the early hours of Sunday morning Surrey Police were contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to attend to a property on the grounds of Epsom College.
The agents came around 1:10 am where, unfortunately, they found the bodies of three people, including a child.
Ms Pattison had been head of the £42,000 a year school since the start of the current school year in September.
Emma Pattison and her husband George (front row, right) at a recent school event. The couple were found dead in the headmaster’s apartment at Epsom College.
Police were called to the school in the early hours of Sunday morning. They trust that there was no participation of third parties in the death of the family
The deaths of Emma Pattison and her husband and daughter, Lettie, have been referred to the coroner. Police are still investigating
‘We can confirm that the bodies found were those of 45-year-old Emma Pattison. Headmistress of Epsom College, Ella’s daughter Lettie, seven, and Ella’s husband George, 39.
“The relatives of the family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of their deaths. At this stage, the police are confident that this is an isolated incident with no third party involvement.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said: “On behalf of Surrey Police, my team and I, I first want to express my sincere condolences to the friends and family of Emma, Lettie and George, as well as the students and Epsom Staff”. College, for his tragic loss.
“I want to give my assurance that we will carry out a thorough investigation of what happened last night and I hope that I can bring some peace in these traumatic circumstances. I would ask that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.
“
Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell County Commander, said: “We are aware that this tragic incident will have caused concern and unrest in the local community.”
“While this is believed to be an isolated incident, in the coming days, our local officers will remain in the area to offer reassurance to students, parents, teachers and the local community. I would like to thank the school and the community for their understanding and patience as the investigation continues.’
All three deaths have been reported to the coroner.
Ms Pattison (pictured) became Epsom College’s first Headmistress in September last year.
The school’s website was updated Sunday evening to list Paul Williams as interim principal following Ms Pattison’s death.
Dr Alastair Wells, Chairman of the Epsom College Board of Governors, said: ‘Chapel services will take place throughout the morning; Housemasters, housemistresses and the primary school principal will be on hand to offer immediate support and comfort; and we will have additional counselors on site for any community members (students and staff) who need to talk, cry or get support.’
He added: ‘Emma was a wonderful teacher, but above all she was a lovely person. In time, we will commemorate Emma and her family, as appropriate and in accordance with her family’s wishes.
“But for now, we ask that we all have the time, space and respect we need to come to terms with this tragic loss.”
The school’s website was updated Sunday evening and now lists Paul Williams as interim principal.
Ms Pattison graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in French and English Literature and from the University of Warwick with a PCGE.
His first teaching role came at Lutterworth College, where he taught French and Spanish from 2002 before teaching subjects at Caterham School from 2005.
She moved to Guildford High School in 2012, before being appointed Head of Professional Development at St John’s School, Leatherhead, where she was promoted to Assistant Headmistress in 2013.
Three years later, he took up the post at Croydon High School, before taking up his post at Epsom College.
The award-winning independent day school and boarding school teaches over 850 boys and girls aged 11-18.
The private school was described as a “shining example of all that is best in independent education” at the Association of Boarding Schools in October.
Epsom won two awards, taking the ‘Student Wellbeing’ award and the ‘Independent School of the Year’ award.
Ms Pattison described the win as “an incredible honour” adding: “We put the time, space, heart and spirit into giving all the young people in our care everything they need to become the best selves they can be.” of themselves: in the classroom, on the sports field, and in whatever field of interest the lights that sizzle within them.
“There is so much incredible work to celebrate in the industry right now, so it is a real privilege to be named the best of the best. I am incredibly proud to be Head and we will display this award with real pride.’
Famous alumni of the school include conservative politician Michael Fallon and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
In a statement at the start of her new role in September, Ms Pattison said: ‘I am delighted and honored to have been appointed Head of Epsom College. It is a school I have long admired, with an enviable reputation, and George and I look forward to meeting the students, parents and staff and becoming a part of this wonderful community.
“My goal is to ensure Epsom continues the upward trajectory it is on thanks to a decade of transformational leadership from Jay Piggot.
‘I am grateful to him and his wife Poppy for leaving me a school with so many talents and strengths, and for making me and my family feel so welcome. Our intention is to make our home and school just as welcoming for months and years to come.’