A teacher at one of London’s most prestigious schools was tragically found dead at a church where the school’s nativity play was taking place.

The body of the 52-year-old employee of Pembridge Hall School in Notting Hill, which costs £8,735 a term, was discovered on stage by clergymen at the nearby St Matthew’s Church Bayswater on Tuesday morning, 5 December 2023.

The west London school caters for 418 girls aged between four and 11, and is the sister school to Wetherby School, which was attended by the likes of Hugh Grant, Princes William and Harry and also some of the Beckham kids.

Although investigations are currently ongoing, it’s been reported by The Independent that police do not believe the death to be suspicious.

Reverend Will Coleridge, Church of England vicar of St Matthew’s told the Mirror: “It was in the middle of the night and I discovered the body on Tuesday morning. The nativity play has been moved, it wouldn’t have been right to hold it here given what happened.”

He went on to add: “Fortunately, none of the children were there at the time. It was grim, obviously, really grim. I mean these things are really horrible.”

Sophie Banks, the 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.”