Peter Symonds College

I have posted previously about Peter Symonds here. And here is the 6th form college named after him. It is for 16-19 year olds studying A Levels. It is an excellent establishment, free, non selective and produces some of the best results in the country. This year 55 students are off to Oxford and Cambridge, which the college is quite rightly proud of.

The college was founded as a boys grammar school in 1897 and became the co-educational college that it is today in 1974. Notable ex pupils include Jack Dee (comedian), members of Coldplay and Razorlight, various ambassadors, MPs, judges, Air Chief Marshalls and Colin Firth's brother!

***update 2 March 2011 ***

I have had it confirmed that Colin Firth (our local Oscar winner!) also attended Peter Symonds!

Christ's Hospital

This is Christ's Hospital in Symonds Street which was founded by Peter Symonds, a very well known name in Winchester. The plaque on the wall says:

Peter Symonds was a wealthy merchant who founded a number of almshouses for the poor and is well remembered in Winchester. In addition to having a street named after him (Symonds Street) there is also a Peter Symonds College, an excellent 6th form college in Winchester and every year, on St Peter's Day, 29th June, an Evensong is held in Winchester Cathedral in his honour.

These 'almshouses' are now administered by the St Johns Winchester Charity who have a number of other buildings throughout Winchester that have featured on the blog. This one still provides five rooms for single people, widows and widowers over 50 and there are currently four women and one man in residence here.