On the morning of 8th July, Emma McKendrick, Chair of Trustees at the Prep Schools Trust  officially opened the newly completed Bailey Sports Centre.  Boys, parents and staff gathered outside the new sports centre eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see the scale of the magnificent new building from the inside.  Until that morning, none of the boys had been permitted access and so the excitement was palpable.

Tom Beardmore-Gray , CEO  of the Prep Schools Trust acknowledged Duncan’s tireless work in raising  funds throughout the exceptionally difficult covid years, the support provided to him and the campaign by the steering committee and the exceptional generosity of all those whose donations made the project possible.  Emma McKenrick on behalf of the Prep Schools Trust, paid tribute to Duncan and Maria for their many years of hard work at Cothill House and the Trust, and for the positive impact that school life under their leadership has made to the lives of many boys.  She presented a gift to Duncan and Maria on behalf of the Prep Schools Trust and then cut the ribbon which  for about 20 minutes had been, straining against the weight of 170 Cothill boys!

Once inside, boys, parents and staff marvelled at the size and facilities of the new sports centre and were excited to explore all that it had to offer.  It was only a call for boys to take to the field for sports day, that brought an end to the event.  The Bailey Sports Centre is now an integral part of the boys' learning and free time and thanks to the generosity of all our donors,  will be for generations to come.