The Costello School
About The Costello School
The Costello School in Basingstoke was rated Good overall by Ofsted in its most recent inspection in 2021, with personal development judged Outstanding. The school’s Progress 8 score of -0.03 is the most informative exam metric available, and it tells a clear story: pupils here achieve almost exactly the national average progress, and they significantly outperform the Hampshire local authority average of -0.17. This means the typical Costello pupil leaves Year 11 with results broadly in line with what you’d expect from any student in England, while doing notably better than the average secondary school in its own county. The Attainment 8 score of 46.3 provides a solid baseline, and 66.1% of pupils secured a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 44.5% reaching the higher grade 5 threshold. The school does not have a sixth form, so students move on after Year 11.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Nov 2021Source: Ofsted, 13 Dec 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:20
Source: costelloschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Costello School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications