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Epsom College – latest: Headteacher found dead in school alongside husband and daughter

Epsom College – latest: Headteacher found dead in school alongside husband and daughter

The headteacher of Epsom College has been found dead at the school alongside her seven-year-old daughter and husband.

Head of the Surrey private school, Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found dead alongside her daughter Lettie after police were called to the area around 1am on Sunday.

Surrey Police investigating the incident have said it is an “isolated incident” and a third party is not being sought.

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.

“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.”

He said Ms Pattison was a “wonderful teacher” but most of all she was a delightful person.

Appearing on the Epsom Insights podcast just before Christmas, Ms Pattison said moving into the new job had been a “really big change” for her family.

Key Points

  • Headteacher of Surrey private school found dead alongside husband and daughter

  • Epsom College reacts after shocking deaths of school head and her family

  • Surrey police explain how discovery of deaths were made

Epsom College rifle range cordoned off

11:53 , Lucy Skoulding

Epsom College’s rifle range appears to have been cordoned off this morning after headteacher Emma Pattison was found dead along with her husband and daughter at their home in the grounds of the boarding school in Surrey.

A man who was delivering portable toilets to police working at the scene spoke to the Telegraph to confirm the rifle range has been cordoned off.

Police are expected to continue with investigations at the school for the rest of the week.

The next of kins have been informed of what has happened.

Police say the three deaths were an isolated incident and there is no reason to suspect third-party involvement at this stage.

Emma Pattison told of excitement for year ahead in podcast

14:32 , Andy Gregory

Emma Pattison told pupils in a school podcast just two months ago about her excitement for the year ahead, saying: “There is so much to come.”

“I am absolutely loving my time here so far,” she told the Epsom Insight podcast shortly after taking on the headteacher role. “It has been very, very busy, but absolutely wonderful.”

Ms Pattison added: “There’s been a lot of change for us as a family, but it’s been wonderful.”

Deaths ‘an appalling tragedy’, says local MP

13:39 , Andy Gregory

Local MP Chris Grayling has called the deaths “an appalling tragedy”, adding: “I know everyone locally will be shocked about what has happened.”

13:00 , Lucy Skoulding

In a statement late on Sunday evening, Epsom College, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, asked for privacy as the school community grappled with the shocking news and the loss of its head.

“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,” the school said.

“Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time.”

The school continued: “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.”

“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 said the family’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers while an investigation is now under way to establish the circumstances of their deaths.

Emma Pattison was the headteacher of Epsom College (Alamy)
Emma Pattison was the headteacher of Epsom College (Alamy)

Former school pays tribute to ‘much loved’ Emma Pattison

12:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison’s former school, Croydon High School in south London, has paid tribute to the “much loved” headteacher after she was found dead with her husband and daughter on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of 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.”

Emma Pattison used to work at Croydon High School in south London (Google Maps)
Emma Pattison used to work at Croydon High School in south London (Google Maps)

Emma Pattison’s final podcast before death

12:00 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison, 45, was just six months into her post as the Surrey private school’s first-ever female head.

In a student-run podcast, Epsom Insights, she shares some of the changes her family had gone through for her new job.

“It’s been a really big change for my family,” she said, sharing that they have moved house and bought a dog in the area.

What have the police said on the deaths?

11:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Pupils and staff at a prestigious private school in Surrey have been rocked by the news that their headteacher had been found dead with her husband and young daughter.

Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found alongside seven-year-old Lettie at the £42,000 per year Epsom College, Epsom, early on Sunday morning.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the deaths but that no one else was involved.

Surrey Police said they were treating the deaths as an “isolated incident” and were not seeking a third party in connection to the incident. In a statement last night a spokesperson for the force explained how the discovery was made.

“In the early hours of this [Sun] morning, Surrey Police was contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to attend a property in the grounds of Epsom College.

“Officers attended at around 01:10am where they, sadly, found the bodies of three people, including a child.

“We can confirm that the bodies found were Emma Pattison aged 45 years, head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, aged seven years and her husband George aged 39 years.

“The family’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation is being carried out to establish the circumstances of their deaths. At this stage, police are confident that this is an isolated incident with no third-party involvement.”

Who was Emma Pattison?

11:00 , Lucy Skoulding

Described as a “wonderful teacher” and a “delightful person” who had a “distinguished career”, Ms Pattinson was appointed head of Epsom in September last year.

She had previously been headteacher at Croydon High School in south London, where she worked for six years.

Prior to working in Croydon, Ms Pattison was the deputy head at St John’s School in Leatherhead, an independent school also in Surrey.

When she was given the job last year, Ms Pattison became Epsom’s 14th-ever headteacher and the first woman to hold the role.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed head of Epsom College,” Ms Pattison said in January 2022.

“It is a school I have long admired, with an enviable reputation, and George and I can’t wait to meet the pupils, parents and staff and to become part of this wonderful community.

Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was listed on Companies House as being the director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016.

Read the full story by Independent reporter Matt Mathers.

Emma Pattison quit Thomas Cook job for teaching

10:28 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison spoke on a podcast, Epsom Insights, recorded just before Christmas about why she quit her job at Thomas Cook and went into teaching.

She said: “This is much more fun, my mum’s a teacher so had that kind of role model and thought maybe I should give that a go.”

Chatting more about why she loves the job, she said: “I get to talk to people, I get to work with young people and I think the moment when I thought about what my day to day life would be and the fact that it would be working with young people, it’s so much fun – they keep you young, they keep you happy, they keep you energised.

“That was a turning point, I ditched the job I didn’t like very much went into teaching and literally haven’t looked back since.”

Emma Pattison said she ‘didn’t looked back’ when she moved into teaching (John Wildgoose)
Emma Pattison said she ‘didn’t looked back’ when she moved into teaching (John Wildgoose)

Emma Pattison was ‘quite excited’ about prospect of move to Epsom College

09:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison spoke on a student-led podcast not long after joining as headteacher.

She shared how, previously, as head of Croydon High School, she knew about Epsom College and its “fantastic reputation”.

Ms Pattison admitted she “was quite excited” when she saw the job advert, thinking it would be a “beautiful place to live and work”.

Explaining how she came to get the job, she told the Epsom Insights podcast hosts: “So it’s a bit of a process when you’re interviewing for a job of course, you know they choose you and you choose them. And I think that with every job I’ve ever taken it’s about seeing if there’s a job to be done that you feel you can do.

“And so, I worked as St John’s as I’m sure you know, which is not too far away, and so I knew of Epsom College by reputation and we played rugby and netball against each other. And so I knew of it and it has a fantastic reputation – beautiful place to live and work. So when it popped up I was quite excited about the idea.

“I suppose it was about thinking about my skillset and thinking about who I am and wondering, would I be a good fit? Is the job that is to be done over the next however many years something that I think I can do?”

Emma Pattison’s last podcast episode

09:00 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison spoke on a student-presented podcast just before Christmas, not too long after starting in the new Headteacher role at Epsom College.

On the podcast, the Epsom Insights, which is still on spotify, Ms Pattison spoke of how her, her husband George and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie were facing a lot of change.

She also chatted about how the family had bought a dog when she moved to the new job, called Bella.

Epsom College move was ‘really big change’ for family

08:36 , Lucy Skoulding

Appearing on a student-hosted podcast, Epsom Insights, just before Christmas, Emma Pattison said the move to Epsom College had been a “really big change” for her family.

She told the hosts: “I am absolutely loving my time here so far, it has been very very busy but absolutely wonderful. I have found tha the pupils are warm friendly and actually really fun. They’re interested and interesting on everything that is on offer here.

“I’ve found the staff to be so welcoming, so professional and so committed, there’s a real love of the college and I’ve been talking with parents and prospective parents about the college – I think we offer amazing time, space and I think there’s real heart and spirit to the college that I’ve come to know over the past seven weeks or so.

“It’s been wonderful, in terms of transition it has been a really big change for my family, so we’ve obviously moved house, we’ve bought a dog, I’ve got a new job my husband has got a new job – which wasn’t meant to happen but did. And my daughter has started a new school, so there’s been a lot of change for us as a family, but it’s been wonderful, the college has been so supportive.”

Surrey police officers were called to Epsom College by the South East Coast Ambulance Service at about 1.10am on Sunday morning (Alamy/PA)
Surrey police officers were called to Epsom College by the South East Coast Ambulance Service at about 1.10am on Sunday morning (Alamy/PA)

Parent says Ms Pattison ‘enriched children’s lives'

08:06 , Lucy Skoulding

The parent of a child who goes to Croydon High School, which is where Ms Pattison used to work, said the news is “an utter shock and tragedy”.

Only wanting to give her first name, she told BBC News: “In her time as head teacher, she turned the school around, and she did so many things that enriched the children’s lives.

“She was slight but very formidable, she knew all of the pupils by name. She was exactly what you would want from a head teacher.”

07:39 , Katy Clifton

Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, with judges calling it a “beacon of excellence”.

The school was also named the winner of the Student Wellbeing Award at the October ceremony thanks to its “whole-school approach to mental health and the wellbeing of both its staff and pupils”.

More than 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853, and its acting head has been listed as Paul Williams.

School’s statement in full

07:34 , Katy Clifton

“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.

“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.

“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.”

A file image of Epsom College (Alamy)
A file image of Epsom College (Alamy)

Emma Pattison spoke about ‘really big change’ for her family in December

07:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Emma Pattison, who joined Epsom college this academic year in September, spoke about significant changes for her family in December 2022.

In the school’s podcast, she told the school’s pupils that her husband got a new job but that wasn’t supposed to happen.

“In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house - we’ve bought a dog,” she said, according to The Sun.

“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.”

She said they bought a Labrador, named Bella, to live with them on the school’s ground.

Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was working as a director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.

So far little details have come out about her husband who was 39 year old.

What do we know about Epsom College?

06:45 , Shweta Sharma

Known as an elite rugby school, Epsom College is award-winning independent day and boarding school that teaches over 850 boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

Police were called to the £42,000-a-year Surrey school at 1am on Sunday.

Surrey Police have said that they are confident that this is an isolated incident and there is no third-party involvement.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Commander Inspector Jon Vale 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.”

Epsom college says they are heartbroken after shocking deaths

06:15 , Shweta Sharma

Epsom College said the news of the death of the head teacher and her family is “heartbreaking” as they demanded “time and space” to process the loss.

Epsom College head Emma Pattison, her husband George, and their daughter Lettie, seven, were found on the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

In a statement last evening, the elite school, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, offered its deepest sadness and regret over the deaths.

“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,” the school said.

“Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time.”

Surrey Police earlier confirmed that it was an isolated incident and there was no third-party involvement.

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.”

Headteacher of Surrey private school found dead alongside husband and seven-year-old daughter

05:37 , Lucy Skoulding

The head of a prestigious Surrey private school has been found dead at the school alongside her seven-year-old daughter and her husband.

Epsom College head, Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found dead alongside seven-year-old Lettie.

Ms Pattison has been described as a “wonderful teacher” and a “delightful person” who had a “distinguished career”.

Police were called to the £42,000 per year Surrey school at 1am on Sunday.

Headteacher of Surrey private school found dead alongside husband and daughter

Epsom College reacts after shocking deaths of school head and her family

05:07 , Shweta Sharma

The private school where the bodies of its headmistress and her family were found dead has pleaded for “time and space” to process “these shocking events”.

Epsom College head Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39 and their daughter Lettie, seven, were found in the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

In a statement late on Sunday evening, the elite school, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, asked for privacy as the school community grappled with the shocking news and the loss of its head.

“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,” the school said.

“Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time.”

Epsom College reacts after shocking deaths of school head and her family

Surrey police explain how discovery of deaths were made

04:42 , Shweta Sharma

In a statement last night, a spokesperson for Surrey police force explained how the discovery was made.

“In the early hours of this [Sun] morning, Surrey Police was contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to attend a property in the grounds of Epsom College.

“Officers attended at around 01.10am where they, sadly, found the bodies of three people, including a child.

“We can confirm that the bodies found were Emma Pattison aged 45 years, head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, aged seven years and her husband George aged 39 years.

“The family’s next of kins have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation is being carried out to establish the circumstances of their deaths. At this stage, police are confident that this is an isolated incident with no third-party involvement.”

Emma Pattison spoke about ‘really big change’ for her family in December

04:29 , Shweta Sharma

Emma Pattison, who joined Epsom college this academic year in September, spoke about significant changes for her family in December 2022.

In the school’s podcast, she told the school’s pupils that her husband got a new job but that wasn’t supposed to happen.

“In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house - we’ve bought a dog,” she said, according to The Sun.

“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.”

She said they bought a Labrador, named Bella, to live with them on the school’s ground.

Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was working as a director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.

So far little details have come out about her husband who was 39 year old.

Epsom college urges ‘time and space’ after ‘shocking’ deaths

03:49 , Shweta Sharma

Epsom College has asked for “time and space” to process the shocking deaths of the private school’s head teacher along with her seven-year-old daughter and husband.

Epsom College head Emma Pattison and her husband George and their daughter Lettie, seven, were found on the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

In a statement last evening, the elite school, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, offered its deepest sadness and regret over the deaths.

“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,” the school said.

“Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time.”

Surrey Police earlier confirmed that it was an isolated incident and there was no third-party involvement.

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.”

What is Epsom College?

02:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Known as an elite rugby school, Epsom College is award-winning independent day and boarding school that teaches over 850 boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

Police were called to the £42,000-a-year Surrey school at 1am on Sunday.

Surrey Police have said that they are confident that this is an isolated incident and there is no third-party involvement.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Commander Inspector Jon Vale 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.”

ICYMI: Headteacher of Surrey private school found dead alongside husband and seven-year-old daughter

01:00 , Lucy Skoulding

The head of a prestigious Surrey private school has been found dead at the school alongside her seven-year-old daughter and her husband.

Epsom College head, Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Lettie.

Ms Pattison has been described as a “wonderful teacher” and a “delightful person” who had a “distinguished career”.

Police were called to the £42,000 per year Surrey school at 1am on Sunday.

00:14 , Thomas Kingsley

In an email from the school board of governors, Dr Wells, to parents at the school, he said that the College will come together tomorrow morning at the usual time.

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.”

School pay tribute to ‘wonderful and delightful’ teacher

Sunday 5 February 2023 23:08 , Thomas Kingsley

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.

“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.”

Emma Pattinson had been the head for just six months (Twitter)
Emma Pattinson had been the head for just six months (Twitter)

Surrey Police treating deaths as ‘isolated incident'

Sunday 5 February 2023 23:06 , Thomas Kingsley

In a statement last night a spokesman for Surrey Police explained how the discovery was made.

“In the early hours of this (Sun) morning, Surrey Police was contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to attend a property in the grounds of Epsom College.

“Officers attended at around 1:10am where they, sadly, found the bodies of three people, including a child.

“We can confirm that the bodies found were Emma Pattison aged 45 years. Head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, aged seven years and her husband George aged 39 years.

“The family’s next of kins have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation is being carried out to establish the circumstances of their deaths. At this stage, 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 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.”

 (Alamy)
(Alamy)

Surrey private school headteacher found dead

Sunday 5 February 2023 23:02 , Lucy Skoulding

The head of a prestigious Surrey private school has been found dead at the school alongside her seven-year-old daughter and her husband.

Epsom College head, Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Lettie.

Police were called to the £42,000 per year Surrey school at 1am on Sunday.

In a statement last night a spokesman for Surrey Police explained how the discovery was made.

“In the early hours of this (Sun) morning, Surrey Police was contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to attend a property in the grounds of Epsom College.”

Read the full story below:

Headteacher of Surrey private school found dead alongside husband and daughter

Good evening

Sunday 5 February 2023 23:01 , Thomas Kingsley

Good evening and welcome to our live blog following the death of Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattinson alongisde her husband and seven-year-old daughter.

Follow our blog for the latest updates.