The Costello School
109%
Capacity
1,222
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About The Costello School
The Costello School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Basingstoke and Deane community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,222 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (109% of 1,120 places).
Ofsted has rated The Costello School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Andy Conway, it falls under Hampshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.03 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.3. Additionally, ranked 1602nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 7 in Basingstoke and Deane.
The Costello School is a popular choice with families — it received 399 applications for 217 places, making it 1.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 140 were first-preference applications.
The Costello School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.4/5 from 3 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Costello School include Swimming Pool, Music Rooms, Theatre, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Sixth Form Centre, Tennis Courts, Science Labs, Library, Art Studios.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Cricket, Hockey, Dance and 5 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Science Club, Newspaper, Gardening and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.2%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Basingstoke and Deane, The Costello School is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Crossborough Hill, Basingstoke, Basingstoke and Deane, RG21 4AL |
| Headteacher | Andy Conway |
| Local Authority | Hampshire |
| Number of Pupils | 1,222 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,222 / 1,120 (109% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 Dec 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.03)
1602nd of 3,141
Nationally
250th of 461
In South East
3rd of 7
In Basingstoke and Deane
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed217
399
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
140 families put this school as their 1st choice (35% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Crossborough Hill, Basingstoke
Basingstoke and Deane, RG21 4AL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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