In a podcast that was made available only weeks before they were discovered dead on school grounds, the dean of Epsom College disclosed that the family had experienced a “lot of change.”
Following a call to the police just after one in the morning yesterday, Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie were all discovered dead.
According to Surrey Police, the tragedy is thought to be a “isolated occurrence” with “no third-party involvement.”
Ms. Pattison, who had just taken over as the private school’s first female headmaster five months earlier and earned a salary of £42,000 a year, said in December that her family was going through some “very huge changes” that included job changes, relocating, and adopting a new puppy.
Ms. Pattison revealed that she, George, and Letie were dealing with a lot of fresh change in a podcast episode that was produced by students and broadcast right before Christmas.
She noted that in addition to the increased work challenges she and her husband were encountering, their family had grown to include Bella, a six-month-old Labrador.
“In terms of transition, my family has seen a fairly significant transformation.” She told the Epsom Insight hosts, “We changed houses and we purchased a puppy.
“There’s been a lot of change for us as a family,” I said. “My husband got a new job, that wasn’t intended to happen but it did, and my daughter began a new school.”
George was a certified accountant and the director of Tanglewood 2016, a management consulting company.
It has been amazing, Ms. Pattison continued. Everyone has been so kind and supportive at the institution.
The school’s head, who seemed appreciative of her new position, had also praised Epsom College on Twitter.
In October of last year, one of her farewell social media postings highlighted the school’s recent achievements.
‘Wow! What an honor,” wrote Ms. Pattison. We are delighted to be named Independent School of the Year.
Epsom College, a renowned private day and boarding school that educates over 850 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18, is known as an outstanding rugby school and costs £42,000 in tuition annually.
After serving in the same capacity at Croydon High School in south London for more than six years, Ms. Pattison assumed her current job in September of last year.
On school property, the Pattison family resided in the principal’s home.
The Epsom College community seems to recognize Ms. Pattison’s contribution to the college, claiming that she was crucial to its recent achievements.
‘In her tenure as head teacher, she turned the school around, and she did so many things that improved the children’s life,’ said Sheena, a mother who only went by her first name, to BBC News.
She was little but formidable, and she knew each student’s name. She was everything you would want in a principal.
Over 850 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18 are enrolled at the distinguished independent day and boarding school.
At the Boarding Schools Association in October, the private school was hailed as a “shining example of everything that is great about independent education.”
Epsom received two prizes, taking home the “Student Wellbeing” and “Independent School of the Year” honors.
The win, according to Ms. Pattison, was “an incredible honor.” She continued, “We focused on time, space, heart, and spirit to give all the young people in our care everything they need to become the best versions of themselves – in the classroom, on the sports field, and in any field of interest that lights that spark within them.”
Being chosen the best of the best is a real honor given the outstanding work that is now being recognized in the field. We shall proudly exhibit this accolade, and I am immensely happy to be Head.
Dr. Alastair Wells, head of the board of governors of Epsom College, said after learning of Ms. Pattison’s passing: “Emma was a fantastic teacher, but most of all she was a beautiful person. When the time comes, we will appropriately and in accordance with Emma’s family’s desires, remember her and her family.
But for now, we kindly request that everyone provide us all the time, space, and respect need to process this sad loss.
Yesterday evening, the school’s website was modified, and Paul Williams is now listed as Acting Headmaster.
A police spokeswoman confirmed the tragedy in a statement released yesterday night, stating: “South East Coast Ambulance Service called Surrey Police in the early hours of Sunday morning to visit a residence on the grounds of Epsom College.
Officers arrived to the scene at around 1.10 a.m. and, regrettably, discovered the dead of three persons, including a kid.
“We can confirm that the corpses discovered belonged to 45-year-old Emma Pattison.” Head of Epsom College, her husband George, 39 years old, and their 7-year-old daughter Lettie.
The family’s next of kin have been notified, and specialized officers are assisting them.
‘An inquiry is being done to determine how they died,’ it says. Police are certain that this is an isolated event with no participation from outside parties at this time.
‘On behalf of Surrey Police, my colleagues, and myself, I want to firstly extend my profound sympathies to the friends and family of Emma, Lettie, and George, as well as to the students and staff of Epsom College, for their awful loss,’ said Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey.
“I want to reassure you that we will look into what happened last night thoroughly and hope to be able to provide some comfort under these distressing circumstances,” I said. In this extremely trying time, I kindly request that their privacy be respected.
Epsom and Ewell’s Borough Commander, Inspector Jon Vale, stated: “We’re conscious that this unfortunate occurrence would have caused worry and distress among the local community.
Although it is thought that this was an isolated event, our local police will stay in the neighborhood in the following days to reassure the children, parents, teachers, and members of the community. As the inquiry proceeds, I would want to thank the community and the school for their patience and understanding.
The coroner has been informed of the three fatalities.
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