Head of Epsom College is found dead alongside daughter, seven, and husband at independent school 

Shocked parents have paid tribute to the head of Epsom College 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 at the private school’s grounds at around 1.10am on Sunday morning.

Surrey Police said it is confident the tragedy is an isolated incident and there is no third party involvement. 

Ms Pattison had been headteacher for just five months, having taken up the new role after six years in the same position at Croydon High School. 

One mother at her former school, who only gave her first name, described how Ms Pattison was ‘formidable’ and ‘turned the school around’ during her time there. 

Emma Pattison, 45, was one of three people found dead in the school early on Sunday morning. She had taken over as headteacher of the prestigious college in September

Sheena 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.’

Known as an elite rugby school, Epsom College is an award-winning independent day and boarding school that teaches more than 850 boys and girls aged 11 to 18 and charges £42,000-a-year in fees. 

Ms Pattison became the school’s first female head teacher in September last year, having spent more than six years in the same role at Croydon High School in south London.

She lived at the head’s house with husband George, a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, and daughter Lettie.

The following month, she took to Twitter to post pictures in celebration of Epsom College winning Independent School of the Year 2022.

Ms Pattison also told pupils in December that her family had bought a Labrador named Bella to live with them on the grounds of the school. 

In a statement last night, a police spokesperson said: ‘In the early hours of Sunday 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.

Ms Pattison had been headteacher of the £42,000-a-year school since the beginning of the current school year in September

Emma Pattison and her husband George (front row, right) pictured at a recent school event. The couple were found dead in the headteacher’s apartment at Epsom College

Police were called to the school in the early hours of Sunday morning. They are confident that there was no third-party involvement in the deaths of the family 

The deaths of Emma Pattison and her husband and child, Lettie, have been referred to the coroner. Police continue to investigate

‘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.’

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.’

The three deaths have been reported to the Coroner.

Ms Pattison (pictured) became Epsom College’s first female head teacher in September last year

The school’s website was updated on Sunday night to list Paul Williams as Acting Headmaster following the death of Ms Pattison

Dr Alastair Wells, chair of the Board of Governors at Epsom College, said: ‘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.’ 

He added: ‘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.’

The school website was updated on Sunday evening and now lists Paul Williams as Acting Headmaster. 

Ms Pattison graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and English Literature and from the University of Warwick with a PCGE.

Her first teaching role came at Lutterworth College, where she taught French and Spanish from 2002 before teaching the 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 deputy head in 2013.

Three years later, she took over at Croydon High School, before taking up her role at Epsom College.

The award-winning independent day and boarding school teaches over 850 boys and girls aged 11 to 18. 

The private school was described as a ‘shining example of all that is best about independent education’ at the Boarding Schools Association in October.

Epsom won two awards, scooping the ‘Student Wellbeing’ award as well as the ‘Independent School of the Year’ prize. 

Ms Pattison described the win as ‘an incredible honour’ and added: ‘We put focus on time, space and heart and spirit to give all the young people in our care everything they need to become the best version of themselves – in the classroom, on the sports field and in any field of interest that lights that spark within them.

‘There is so much amazing work to be celebrated in the industry at the moment, so this 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 when starting her new role in September, Ms Pattison said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed Head of Epsom College. 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.

‘It is my aim to ensure that Epsom continues the upward trajectory on which it finds itself thanks to a decade of transformative leadership from Jay Piggot.

‘I am grateful to him and his wife Poppy for leaving me with a school of so many talents and strengths, and for making me and my family feel so welcome. It is our intention to make our home and our school equally as welcoming in the months and years to come.’