‘There’s been a lot of change for us as a family’: Haunting last podcast of Epsom College’s first female head as she is found dead with husband and daughter, seven, just six months after she started new job – as police say ‘no one else was involved’
- Emma Pattison and her family experienced a ‘lot of change’ in recent months
- She and her husband George both started new jobs, as well as got a family dog
- READ MORE: Emma, George and their daughter Lottie were found dead Sunday
The head of Epsom College revealed the family had faced a ‘lot of change’ in a podcast released just weeks before they were found dead on school grounds.
Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead along with her husband George, 39, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie after police were called just after 1am yesterday.
Surrey Police said it is believed the tragedy is an ‘isolated incident’ and there is ‘no third-party involvement.’
Ms Pattison, who had only become the first female headteacher of the £42,000-a-year private school five months ago, shared in December that her family was experiencing some ‘really big changes’ that involved career changes, moving house and getting a new dog.
Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead along with her husband George, 39, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie after police were called just after 1am yesterday. The family is pictured together
Surrey Police (pictured at the scene) said it is believed the tragedy is an ‘isolated incident’ and there is ‘no third-party involvement’
In a student-presented podcast episode released just before Christmas, Ms Pattison explained that she, George and Lettie were facing a lot of new change.
She explained that amid the new professional journeys she and her husband were facing, they also added a six-month-old Labrador called Bella to their family.
‘In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house – we’ve bought a dog,’ she told the Epsom Insight hosts.
‘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.’
George was a chartered accountant and the director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016.
Ms Pattison added: ‘It’s been wonderful. The college have been so supportive and everyone has been very, very welcoming.’
The school head, seemingly grateful to be in her new role, had also issued her praises for Epsom College on Twitter.
One of her final social media posts, penned in October last year, celebrated the school’s recent accolades.
‘Wow! What an honour,’ Ms Pattison wrote. ‘We’re thrilled to be Independent School of the Year.’
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 took up her position in September last year, having spent more than six years in the same role at Croydon High School in south London.
The Pattison family lived at the head’s house on school grounds.
One of her final social media posts, penned in October last year, celebrated the school’s recent accolades. Ms Pattison (pictured in a photo included in the post) said: ‘Wow! What an honour. We’re thrilled to be Independent School of the Year’
Ms Pattison had been headteacher of the £42,000-a-year school since the beginning of the current school year in September
The Epsom College community seemed to value Ms Pattison’s role at the school, alleging that she played a big role in the institution’s recent successes.
Sheena, a mother who only gave her first name, 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.’
The award-winning independent day and boarding school teaches over 850 boys and girls aged 11 to 18.
Ms Pattison (pictured) became Epsom College’s first female head teacher in September last year
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.’
Following news of Ms Pattison’s death, Dr Alastair Wells, chair of the Board of Governors at Epsom College, said: ‘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 yesterday evening and now lists Paul Williams as Acting Headmaster.
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
The school’s website was updated on Sunday night to list Paul Williams as Acting Headmaster following the death of Ms Pattison
Shocked parents pay tribute to Epsom College’s first female headteacher, 45, after she is found dead: READ MORE HERE
The deaths of Emma Pattison and her husband and child, Lettie, have been referred to the coroner. Police continue to investigate
In a statement last night, a police spokesperson confirmed the tragedy, saying: ‘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.
‘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.
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