Former colleagues of the headteacher of Epsom College, who was found dead along with her husband and young daughter, have paid tribute to a “wonderful head” and “dear friend”. 

The bodies of Emma Pattison, 45, husband George, 39, and seven-year-old Lettie were discovered at a property on the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Surrey Police have not disclosed the cause of their deaths, but said they are confident that no one else was involved.

Mrs Pattison was head at Croydon High School before she joined Epsom College in September last year. Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), of which Croydon High School is part of, said she was a “much loved and respected member of the GDST community”.

“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,” she said.

She described Mrs Pattison as a “talented head and teacher and a dear friend to many of us”.

Dr Alastair Wells, chairman of the board of governors at Epsom College, said: “Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person.

“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.”

Read more: Who was Emma Pattison?

The school said: “The shocking and tragic news has now reached many about the death of our head, Emma Pattison.

“The college community will be coming together today to process the news, grieve and pay our respects to a wonderful head.”

Mrs Pattison became Epsom’s first female head in September 2022 after six years as headteacher of Croydon High School in south London.

Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards last year, 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”.

Surrey police and crime commissioner Lisa Townsend said there will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days to provide reassurance.

She added: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of the awful incident at Epsom College at the weekend and I want to offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who lost their lives.

“These events will no doubt have a profound and lasting impact on both the staff and students at the college and the wider local community. My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible and tragic incident.”

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

A statement from HMC (The Heads’ Conference), which represents hundreds of leading private schools across the UK, said: “Everyone at HMC is devastated to hear of the awful news from Epsom College that we have lost Emma Pattison and her family.

“Our thoughts and prayers at this time are for Emma’s family and close friends as well as the Epsom College, Croydon High School and St John’s Leatherhead communities.”

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