School History
St Peter’s is situated in a residential area of Guildford. It is a co-educational Catholic School established by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and administered by Surrey County Council. There are approximately 1300 students aged between 11-18.
The school was founded by Archbishop Amigo in 1947 and named St Peter’s after his patron saint. At that time, the school was housed in two different sites (on Horseshoe Lane East and the other in Horseshoe Lane West).
In 1971, the school merged with Merrow Grange (a Convent school run by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph) to create the mixed school called ‘St Peter’s and Merrow Grange’. This was led by Dr Torjussen, the first Headteacher of the newly formed co-educational school. Later the name was changed to St Peter’s Catholic Comprehensive School.
Until 1993, the school occupied both sites (in Horseshoe Lane East and Epsom Road) with the students moving between the sites for different subjects. In 1993, following the decision of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph to sell their site, £2.5m was spent to develop the present campus and the school moved onto one site.
In 1999, the school increased in size to admit 180 students into Year 7 each year. Another £1.2m was spent to develop the facilities to make this possible.
In 2010, the school’s name changed to become St Peter’s Catholic School.
A £2m purpose built state of the art Sixth Form Centre was opened in the summer of 2010.
In 2014, St Cecilia’s Theatre and Liturgical Centre was completed providing a multi-functional space allowing for large school productions and concerts, but also incorporating a teaching space that is used daily.
In 2018, the school extended its facilities to include the St John Bosco Building which comprises of a new Chapel and art and English classrooms. Bishop Richard Moth blessed the new building on 19th October 2018.
In 2022, our Sixth Form teaching facilities were improved with the opening of St Hilda's; a single storey building, comprising two new classrooms and one large study area. The second phase has now commenced and will provide a second single storey building offering four extra classrooms and a study space. The two buildings will benefit from outside study spaces as part of the final landscaping works. The works are due to be completed by the end of May 2024.
Detailed below is a list of our previous Headteachers in chronological order:
- Mr R Guinea
- Mr C Richardson
- Mr M Walsh
- Dr P Torjussen