05 February 2023 , 22:03
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The headteacher of £42,000-a-year private school Epsom College has been found dead along with her seven-year-old daughter and her husband on the grounds of the school.
Police were called to Epsom College, in Surrey, at 1am on Sunday morning, alerted by ambulance services, where they made the horrific discovery.
The bodies of Emma Pattison, 45, her daughter Lettie, seven, and her husband George, 39, were all found.
Ms Pattison has tonight been described as a "wonderful teacher" and a "delightful person". The school, comprised of 950-pupils, was named Independent School of the Year in 2022 and the headteacher was said to have had a "distinguished career".
Police are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths but stressed they believe this is an isolated incident with no third-party involvement.
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The family's next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.
(John Wildgoose Copyright 2017)
Emma with her husband GeorgeOfficers said the tragedy will have sent shockwaves through the local community, and even though no third-party was involved, they confirmed police would remain in the local area in coming days.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said: “On behalf of Surrey Police, my team, and I, I first want to express my sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Emma, Lettie and George, as well as to the students and staff of Epsom College, for their tragic loss.
"I want to give my assurance that we will conduct a thorough investigation into what took place last night, and hope to be able to bring some peace in these traumatic circumstances.
"I would ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
Police guard the entrance to Epsom College in Surrey tonight (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell’s Borough Commander, said: “We’re aware that this tragic incident will have caused concern and upset 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 while the investigation continues.”
Emma Pattison, 45, the headteacher of Epsom College, has been found dead (Linkedin)The three deaths have been reported to the Coroner.
The Chair of the Board of Governors at Epsom College expressed "disbelief" and "utter shock" at the tragic news.
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Dr Alastair Wells, Chair of the Board of Governors at Epsom College, said: “On behalf of everyone at Epsom College, I want to convey our utter shock and disbelief at this tragic news.
(John Wildgoose Copyright 2017)"Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma’s family, friends and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career.
"Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person.
"In time we will commemorate Emma and her family, in the appropriate way, and in line with the wishes of her family.
"But for now, we ask that we are all given the time, space and respect we need to come to terms with this tragic loss.
Lights remain on into the night at the entrance to Epsom College in Surrey where the head teacher has been found dead (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)"There is currently a significant police presence at the location, and the surrounding area, and we would like to thank the local community for their understanding while our officers continue their investigation."
Emma's last post on her Twitter account saw her celebrate the school's most recent accolade with a glass of champagne and a friend.
She wrote: "Wow! What an honour. We're thrilled to be Independent School of the Year."
Later she wrote: "It gets better every time I read it! @EpsomCollegeUK is Independent School of the Year 2022! Thank you to all @isotyawards!"
In an email from Dr Wells to parents at the school, he said the College would come together in the morning at the usual time.
Epsom College is a co-educational public school in Epsom Surrey England UK (Julia Gavin / Alamy Stock Photo)It read: “Chapel services will take place throughout the morning; Housemasters, housemistresses and the head of lower school will be on hand to offer immediate support and comfort; and we will have additional counsellors on site for any member of the community - pupils and staff - who needs to talk, grieve or be supported.”
In a statement, the school, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, said: "It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce the news of the deaths of Emma Pattison, Head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, and her husband George.
"Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time."
Epsom College in Surrey on Monday morning (PA)The school added: "The College is working with the police in what remains an ongoing investigation. We must now focus on the welfare and wellbeing of our pupils and staff, and work to ensure that they receive all the comfort, warmth and support required from the Epsom College community."
The college concluded the statement by saying: "We ask that the public and the media respect the privacy of Emma's family, and help us to prioritise the needs of our pupils.
"The news is heartbreaking and we need time and space to come together and process these shocking events. No further statement will be issued at this time."
Police guard the entrance to Epsom College in Surrey (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of the awful incident at Epsom College at the weekend and I want to offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who lost their lives.
“These events will no doubt have a profound and lasting impact on both the staff and students at the college and the wider local community. My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible and tragic incident.
“Our Surrey Police teams are carrying out a thorough investigation to establish the exact circumstances of what took place. There will be an increased presence in the area over the coming days to provide reassurance to the community and I have offered any support my office can give.”
Mrs Pattison became Epsom's first female head in September 2022 after six years as headteacher of Croydon High School in south London.
A forensics officer enters a residential property at Epsom College (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)Speaking on behalf of Mrs Pattison’s former workplace Croydon High School, Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive, Girls’ Day School Trust, said: “We are immensely shocked and saddened by the news about the death of Emma Pattison, her daughter Lettie and her husband George.
“Our thoughts are with their family at this time, as well as everyone at Croydon High School, and Epsom College, which Emma joined as head in September 2022.
“Emma was a much loved and respected member of the GDST community, as well as a talented head and teacher and a dear friend to many of us.
“She touched the lives of all of us with her energy, wisdom and kindness during her six years as head of Croydon High School and the school will always bear the legacy of her inspiring leadership. We are taking time to support staff and students at Croydon High School as well as everyone in the GDST family, and their wellbeing will be our priority in the coming days.”
Boarding students at the college pay more than £42,000 a year and its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine.
Over 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853, and its acting head has been listed as Paul Williams.
Mrs Pattison's husband George was a chartered accountant who was the director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
In December, she told pupils she had bought a Labrador named Bella to live with them within the school grounds.
Emma told the school's podcast: “In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house - we’ve bought a dog.
“I’ve got a new job, my husband has got a new job, that wasn’t meant to happen but it did and my daughter has started a new school so there’s been a lot of change for us as a family.”