18 February 2023 , 16:51
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Epsom College has put in place a new headteacher following the tragic death of head Emma Pattison.
Sir Anthony Seldon said his role would be to give the school the "confidence, stability and maturity to see it through the aftershocks" of the deaths of Mrs Pattison and daughter Lettie.
Mrs Pattison, 45, and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie, are believed to have been murdered by husband and father George Pattison, 39, before he took his own life on 5 February.
The family were found dead at their home on the grounds of the college in Surrey, after Mrs Pattison had made a call to her sister in a state of distress. Police are yet to reveal details of how the three died.
Sir Anthony has agreed to take up the role from March 1 until September 2024 - with a vow to honour her legacy, SurreyLive reports.
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Sir Anthony Seldon said he would guide the school through the aftermath of the shocking and tragic killings (Epsom College)The school said Mrs Pattison's family fully support Sir Anthony’s appointment. It added that they are "heartened that the College is able to move forward in a positive light".
The move will give the school time to find and appoint a new permanent head, due to start in September 2024.
Sir Anthony said: “I am committed to ensuring that Emma’s legacy is honoured and that Epsom College moves forward in the manner she intended. This is what Emma would have wanted for all the pupils and staff she had worked with, supported, and for whom she had such high hopes. Emma was driven, ambitious and courageous – there is no better way to respect her memory than for Epsom College to forge ahead and embody the values that guided her life.”
Emma Pattison, 45 and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie who along with husband George were all found dead at their home in the grounds of Epsom College on February 5 (PA)“My role as head of Epsom College will be to provide the confidence, stability and maturity to see it through the aftershocks of the deaths of Emma and Lettie Pattison. I will also focus everybody on outstanding teaching and learning in the classroom, and outside, giving pride, purpose, and meaning to the whole community.
"The members of the current senior leadership team have several decades of experience and will be running the school. I will be right alongside them, moving the school on in preparation for the incoming head in September 2024.”
Lord Alex Carlile, president of Epsom College, said: “Clearly, we wish this appointment had never been necessary. Emma was a wonderful person, an educator of distinction and someone who was set to take the College on an exciting journey. That her time was so cruelly cut short is devastating to all that knew her, and all those who were yet to know her but would have benefitted immeasurably from her talents.
Epsom College elected Sir Anthony Seldon to take up the role of headteacher until September 2024 (Getty Images)“In these circumstances, I can think of no one better to lead the College than Sir Anthony. I am confident that his strong vision, leadership and experience, with the stellar support of the Senior Leadership Team that earned Epsom the title of Independent School of the Year, is the very finest way to honour Emma Pattison’s legacy.”