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Peter Symonds, inspired by the Christ's Hospital foundation in London which helped needy London boys, made provision in his will (date 1586) for the creation of Christes Hospitall , a foundation for people of all age in Winchester.
It was not until May 1897 that enough money had been raised from the sale of land to the railways to expand the educational side of the foundation with a secondary school for boys. The money was used to open Peter Symonds' School on 39 Southgate Street with Telford Varley (later Revd) as the headmaster.
He retired in 1926 and was succeeded by Dr Freeman, know as "Doc". Freeman wanted to turn Peter Symonds' into a public school.
John Shields, taking over in 1957 after Freeman's death, created the science laboratories, gymnasium and the Varley buildings.
John Ashurst 1963 was the head in the "swinging Sixties" and it fell to him to deal with its effect on the boys. Despite the fashion for the Beatles haircut, long hair was definitely not appreciated. When he left in 1973, despairing of government plans (and parent apathy) for the schools future, to take up a new post at Hymer's College, Hull, the school's reputation was as its zenith.
Stuart Nicholls became headmaster in 1973 and was the man who turned Peter Symonds' School into Peter Symonds' College, a new sixth form college. Girls were admitted for the first time, and the Hampshire specialist music course was created.
Neil Hopkins has been headmaster since 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic., and has seen the college grow further. New science laboratories were opened in 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan by the Duke of GloucesterThe title Duke of Gloucester is a British royal title, often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England, the next in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the last in the Peerage of the United, and the Paul Woodhouse students' building opened in 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting by HRH The Duke of YorkHis Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of York (born February 19, 1960), is a member of the British Royal Family, the third child and second son of Que. The new Mercers sports hall was also opened in 20022002 is a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). 2002 was the first palindromic year since 1991 and the last until 2112. 2002 was also designated: International Year of Ecotourism and Mountains National Science Year in the United Kingdom by local MP Mark Oaten.
Construction is currently underway for the new John Shields building. It should be completed sometime in summer 2004.