Sir William Perkins founded the School for 25 poor boys at 12 Windsor Street to educate the town’s children.

The school was extended with a new building to offer free education and clothing to 25 poor girls.

By 1819, educational needs had outgrown the Windsor Street premises and an endowment allowed the school to move to new premises on Guildford Road. 

Miss M Eastaugh becomes Head

Sir William Perkins’s becomes one of the first direct-grant grammar schools in the country to educate girls.  

The House system was formed consisting of two houses; L (Latin) and P (Parallel)

Pyrcroft House

Miss M Sames becomes Head

Miss B Timbrell becomes Head

Sir William Perkins’s School becomes fully independent as an educational foundation administered by trustees.

Mrs A Darlow becomes Head

The Brunner Building opens

A new state of the art Sports Centre is built, along with new science labs added to the existing Science Centre.

Miss S Ross becomes Head.  The Anne Darlow Sixth Form Centre is constructed.

Sir William Perkins’s becomes a rowing school.

New floodlit tennis and netball courts are added and a hockey astro pitch is constructed.

Mrs SD Cook becomes Head. 

Mr C Muller is appointed the first Headmaster of Sir William Perkins’s School. An additional fourth house is added and renamed after famous British women:  Lonsdale, Montagu, Pankhurst and Quant.

As part of Sir William Perkin’s School masterplan a £4.1 million development creates a new main entrance, music hall, performing arts room, sports hall, fitness room and dance studio with sprung floors.

The Atrium is connected to the existing dining hall, and a new Performing Arts wing is added including drama studios and music rehearsal and performance spaces.  The Sixth Form centre, with own outside terrace is added. The SWPS Boat Club at Laleham Reach was opened.

The school uniform was changed to the present day attire

The School celebrates its tricentennial

Sir Williams Perkins’s to welcome boys again in September 2026.