Our History

The origins of Barton Peveril Sixth Form College date back to 1904 and the Eastleigh Pupil Teachers’ Centre which occupied rooms at the Eastleigh Railway Institute on the corner of Leigh Road and Market Street.

In 1909 the Centre moved into the Wesleyan Hall behind the Methodist Church in the High Street and later become known as Eastleigh Secondary School and Pupil Teachers’ Centre.

The Barton Peveril name

The Barton Peveril link came in 1918 when the school moved to Barton Peveril House on the Bishopstoke Road. Eventually it became known as the County Secondary School, Barton Peveril, Eastleigh and then Eastleigh County High School with the move to Desborough Road in 1932.

The present Chestnut Avenue campus dates back to 1957 when the High School moved and became Barton Peveril Grammar School. Barton Peveril was designated as a sixth form college in 1973.

Famous alumni

• Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth
• Olympic champion Dani King MBE (Cycling: Team GB Women’s Team Pursuit London 2012)
• Olympic bronze medallist James Foad (Team GB Men’s Eight Rowing London 2012)
• Alt-J vocalist/guitarist Joe Newman, Mercury Prize winners 2012
• East India Youth (musician Will Doyle)
• BBC and Observer investigative journalist John Sweeney
• Musician Elio Pace
• Comedian and DJ Tom Deacon
• One Day author and screenwriter David Nicholls (pictured top left)
• Burnley footballer Wade Elliott
• International athlete Melanie Purkiss
• Record-breaking mountaineers Rhys Jones and Becky Bellworthy
• Olympic sailor Chris Draper