The Cawthorn was officially opened last term as a new space for Common Room and Support Staff, as well as a venue for future School events. Originally the Cawthorn Lecture Theatre, the space was named after Reverend James Cawthorn, Tonbridge School’s Headmaster between 1743 and 1761. A pivotal figure in Tonbridge's history, Cawthorn was a published poet who taught George Austen and William Woodfall and created Skinners’ Library as it is now known.

The building has been fully renovated, with the restoration of its original stained-glass windows, stonework and floor providing a glimpse into Tonbridge’s past, and the improvements made creating a future space for School events.

Members of the Cawthorne family were in attendance at the opening, as well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr James Lark and Mrs Jill Lark.

Gavin Rochussen, Chair of Governors, cut the ribbon to officially mark the opening of the building which was originally used as the first dedicated Chapel at Tonbridge in the 1800s, and attendees were treated to a poem by James Cawthorn which was accompanied by a music arrangement from OT Nick Samuel (WH 18-23) and performed by Toby Stafford-Allen, one of the leading cavalier baritones in the country and a Tonbridge singing teacher, and Mark Forkgen, School's Director of Music.

Headmaster James Priory said of the opening: "It is wonderful to celebrate both the elegant restoration of the original features of the Chapel built in 1859, and its transformaion into a superb new space for teaching and support staff in 2024."