Emma Pattison was found dead at her home on the grounds of Epsom College, alongside her husband George, 39, and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie.
Their deaths have shocked the prestigious independent school and the wider community in the Surrey town.
Who was Emma Pattison?
Mrs Pattison became head of Epsom College in September 2022 having previously been head at Croydon High School for six years.
She was the first woman to become head of the school, which is the current Independent School of the Year, according to its website.
On her appointment, Mrs 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.
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“It is our intention to make our home and our school equally as welcoming in the months and years to come.”
Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
Discussing how the move had gone in a podcast, Mrs Pattison said: “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 I 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 it’s been wonderful.”
Epsom College
The school was founded in 1855 and currently has more than 850 pupils in attendance.
It offers day and boarding school education for girls and boys aged 11-18.
Fees for boarding students are upwards of £42,000 a year and the acting head has been listed as Paul Williams.
The college was named Independent School of the Year in October 2022 and lists its values as kindness, ambition and integrity on its website.
Its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine.
In a statement the school 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.”
What have the police said?
Police said the family’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers while an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of their deaths.
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.”
