The Costello School occupies a prominent place in the educational landscape of Basingstoke, balancing a long local history with a forward-looking approach to secondary education. Serving approximately 1,222 students aged 11 to 16, it operates as a co-educational state academy under the Bohunt Education Trust. The school is currently led by Headteacher Andy Conway, who brings a focus on maintaining the school's "Good" standing while pushing for further curriculum refinement.
With a local ranking of 2nd among secondary schools in Basingstoke, Costello provides a solid academic foundation. Its performance reflects a consistent standard that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The atmosphere is one of purposeful learning, where the heritage of the site (originally founded in 1908 by Harriet Costello) meets a modern, technology-enabled curriculum.
The campus presents a mix of architectural styles that reflect its evolution over decades. From the traditional facades of the original 1908 girls' high school to modern additions, the physical environment is designed to support a varied curriculum. Since joining the Bohunt Education Trust in 2018, the school has adopted the trust’s focus on Enjoy, Respect, Achieve, a mantra that is visible in both the corridor displays and the daily interactions between students and staff.
There is a palpable sense of community here. The school is large enough to offer a diverse range of subjects and activities but maintains a structure where students feel seen. This is reinforced by a house system; with houses named Ali, Austen, Attenborough, Parks, and Turing; that encourages healthy competition and a sense of belonging across different year groups. The Bohunt influence is also evident in the school's "game-changer" ethos, which encourages students to be bold, resilient, and socially responsible.
The Costello School ranks 1,577th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This positioning reflects a solid performance, placing it comfortably within the top 35% of schools in England. Locally, it is a high performer, ranking 2nd among secondary providers in the Basingstoke area.
In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, which sits above the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.03 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with their starting points from primary school. Within the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 22.5% of students achieved a grade 5 or above, supported by an EBacc Average Point Score (APS) of 4.35, which exceeds the England average of 4.08.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Costello is designed to be both broad and rigorous, preparing students for the transition to sixth form or vocational study. As a Bohunt school, there is a significant emphasis on a 1:1 iPad scheme, where technology is used to enhance research and collaboration in the classroom. This digital-first approach is paired with traditional subject depth.
The learners' journey is organized into a two year Key Stage 3, a one year transitional Year 9, and a two year Key Stage 4. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and explain concepts clearly, a point highlighted in the 2021 Ofsted report which maintained the school's "Good" rating. For students with additional needs, the school provides support through an "inclusion zone," though it does not have a designated specialist unit for SEN.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
The extracurricular programme is a vital part of the Costello experience, designed to enrich the culture of Enjoy, Respect, Achieve. The school is well regarded for its sports provision, making use of extensive on-site facilities including a large sports hall and floodlit pitches. The school continues to produce competitive teams in football, netball, and rugby.
Creative arts flourish here, with student leadership being particularly passionate about ensuring representation in the arts community. Annual school productions, such as Matilda and Beauty and the Beast, are highlights of the calendar. Other notable clubs include:
A highly popular scheme with high participation rates.
Offering students a chance to develop discipline and leadership.
Focused on robotics and digital innovation.
STEM subjects are a clear priority, supported by the Bohunt Trust's investment in technical facilities. Students engage in project-based learning that often bridges the gap between Science, Technology, and Mathematics. The school aims to develop "STEM literacy" to ensure students can navigate a high-tech society.
Coding challenges and digital literacy projects are regular features. The aim is not just to teach these subjects as academic disciplines but to show their real-world application, often through partnerships with local engineering and technology firms in the Basingstoke area.
The school operates a robust pastoral system centred on the House structure. Each student belongs to a house, overseen by a Head of House and supported by a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for families. This system ensures that every student has a consistent advocate throughout their five years at the school.
The 2021 Ofsted inspection highlighted the effective safeguarding culture and the positive relationships between staff and students. Wellbeing is supported through a structured PSHE curriculum and an "inclusion zone" for those needing extra help. The school’s approach to behaviour is based on being orderly and calm, with staff effectively managing safety and rare instances of bullying.
The Costello School is a popular choice and is currently oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 399 applications for 217 places, reflecting a subscription proportion of 1.84. This means for every place available, nearly two families applied. Every student who put the school as their first preference and was eligible for a place was offered one.
Admissions are coordinated by Hampshire County Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, those with specific medical or social needs, and siblings of current students. Proximity to the school is the final tie-breaker. Parents interested in checking their proximity can use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered.
Applications
399
Total received
Places Offered
217
Subscription Rate
1.8x
Apps per place
The school day begins at 8:30am with morning tutor and concludes at 3:20pm for most students (with an early finish at 2:25pm on Fridays). Located on Crossborough Hill, the school is accessible via several local bus routes. The total weekly school hours amount to 33.25.
For families seeking wraparound care, the school runs breakfast and homework clubs to support those who need to be in earlier or stay later. The extensive after-school enrichment programme also provides a safe and productive environment for students until late afternoon.
As a state-funded academy, The Costello School does not charge tuition fees. It is open to all students regardless of financial background.
Costs for families are limited to:
The Costello School is a strong, community-focused academy that successfully blends local tradition with modern Bohunt Education Trust innovation. It offers a balanced secondary experience where academic ambition is matched by a wide range of sporting and creative opportunities. It is best suited to students who will thrive in a technology-rich environment and who want to be part of a large, active school community. Families looking for a school with a proven local track record and a clear path to local further education colleges will find it an excellent choice.
Yes. The Costello School is currently rated Good by Ofsted. It is the 2nd highest-ranked secondary school in Basingstoke for GCSE outcomes and achieves academic results that are consistently above the England average in key areas like EBacc Average Point Score.
In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, which is above the England average. Its EBacc Average Point Score of 4.35 also exceeds the national average of 4.08, placing it in the top tier of local schools for academic achievement.
Applications for Year 7 entry must be made through Hampshire County Council by 31 October for the following September. The school coordinates with the Local Authority for all admissions.
No. The Costello School caters for students aged 11 to 16 only. Students typically move on to local providers such as Queen Mary's College (QMC) or Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) after completing their GCSEs.
As part of the Bohunt Education Trust, the school provides all students with an iPad to use in lessons and for homework. This digital literacy focus is a core part of the school's teaching and learning strategy.
Get in touch with the school directly
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