The Costello School
Basingstoke, RG21 4AL · Hampshire · secondary school
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34th of 69 secondary schools in Hampshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 869 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.1/10 among them, against 6.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.3 · 70 | 30% | 2.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.03 · 48 | 25% | 1.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.4 · 71 | 10% | 0.71 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Costello School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.0 out of 10 among them, against 5.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh, and Young Interpreter clubs. Sporting opportunities include skiing, while arts provision features school productions and the Eisteddfod. Trips have included visits to St Ives, battlefields, Disneyland Paris, Thorpe Park, and the theatre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,160 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,120. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 scores are below the national benchmark? How are the separate Of
What Ofsted said about The Costello School
Overview
The report describes The Costello School as a place where pupils are "proud to belong" and feel "valued and included." Leaders have established a "calm and highly orderly environment" with robust systems for attendance and behaviour, resulting in improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well, with disadvantaged pupils now performing "better than disadvantaged pupils nationally."
- Attendance is improving due to "robust and highly effective" identification systems and close work with families.
- Behaviour has improved significantly, with suspensions falling "sharply" in a "highly orderly" setting.
- The curriculum is "ambitious and broad," including an "aspirational outdoor curriculum" that builds secure knowledge.
- Staff are "very positive" about working at the school, valuing the "high-quality, research informed professional learning."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must strengthen the approach to "identifying precisely what pupils... know and can do" to address gaps in foundational reading knowledge.
- The school needs to more consistently identify specific knowledge gaps for a small number of pupils to ensure targeted interventions are effective.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.3 |
| 2024/25 | 47.3 |
| 2025/26 | 50.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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