Teacher at £8,735-a-term Pembridge school in Notting Hill is found dead on stage of a nativity play at nearby church

A teacher at one of Britain’s top private schools has been found dead at the scene of their nativity play at a church in West London.

The 52-year-old veteran employee at the £8,735-a-term Pembridge Hall School in Notting Hill was found dead at the nearby St Matthew’s Church Bayswater.

The discovery was made by clergymen at the Anglican church last Tuesday morning and the teacher is understood to have died the previous evening following the play.

St Matthew’s Church vicar Reverend Will Coleridge told The Sun: ‘We sadly had an unfortunate incident here on Monday night. It was inside the church. 

St Matthew’s Church Bayswater (file picture)

‘I can’t say too much but it is dreadful. I half knew the deceased. Of course the nativity here is all cancelled now. They will do it elsewhere, which is understandable.’

Sophie Banks, headmistress of Pembridge Hall School, told The Sun: ‘We are all deeply saddened at the recent passing of a member of our school’s community.

‘On behalf of the school, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to their family and friends. As we collectively navigate through this challenging period, we will focus on supporting our girls and colleagues.’

Ms Banks began her role in September last year at the school on Pembridge Square, which was founded in 1979 and caters for 418 day girls aged between four and 11.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called at 8.55am on December 5 to a church in St Petersburgh Place, W2 after a 52-year-old man was found deceased.

‘Next of kin have been informed. The death is being treated as unexpected but early inquiries do not indicate it is suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’

And a London Ambulance Service spokesman added: ‘We were called on December 5 at 8.52am to reports of an incident at St Petersburgh Place, W2.

‘We sent a number of resources to the scene, including a medic in a fast-response car and an ambulance crew. Sadly, a man was found dead at the scene.’

More to follow

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