The Pattison family has taught Dance in Coventry since the 1920s. Pattison College, however, was established in 1949 by Betty Pattison to provide full-time education for talented students wishing to make a career in the theatre. Over the years the emphasis has changed. Students can still take advantage of confidence-building performance opportunities in Dance, Drama and Music, but they all have a first-class education in a family environment and appreciate the advantages of an uninterrupted all-through education.

In 1994, Betty Pattison’s daughter, Mrs Elizabeth McConnell, was appointed Joint Principal. A graduate of Goldsmith’s College, London, and a former pupil, she had taught French in the maintained sector and then at Pattison from 1982.

Over the years Mrs McConnell took on full responsibility for the running of the school and Pattison Theatre Arts. After the death of Betty Pattison in 2010, Mrs McConnell led the school on from strength to strength, supported by a team of committed, experienced staff.

In November 2013, the school was elected to the Independent School Association (ISA), giving it access to high quality training opportunities and advice on all the latest legislation pertaining to independent schools.

In September 2014, the school underwent a very successful inspection by Ofsted (see Inspection Report page).

Elizabeth McConnell oversaw the acquisition of Pattison by Chatsworth Schools in 2019 and retired at the end of the academic year, with John Taylor being appointed to manage the change of ownership in September 2019. He retired in August 2021.