Headteacher's message: May 2013
We are continuing to see excellent progress from our students. Year 11 students are now in the peak examination season and we wish them every success in their examinations and encourage them to continue to attend all relevant revision sessions and make use of all relevant material available on line. They have been an outstanding Year and we are confident that they will go on to achieve new record results.
Congratulations also go to our PE Department who recently won the Secondary School of the Year Award at the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards. This is a tremendous achievement and is recognition of the strength of sport at Costello and the achievement of all our students in this area. Congratulations also go to our Young Enterprise Team ‘Phoenix’ who won the ‘Best Company’ in Basingstoke and Deane Area this month; they now move on to the County Finals and we wish them the best of luck.
I would also like to welcome all the new parents and students who will be joining us in September; we are oversubscribed this year. I now look forward to meeting you all during the summer term at our Year 6 Parent Evening on 3 July 2013 and Year 6 Induction Day on 5 July 2013.
This term we have been fortunate to welcome some inspiring speakers into School. Most recently Claire Lomas visited and spoke to all Year 9 and Year 10 students. Claire became paralysed in 2007 but last year she completed the London Marathon in 17 days and is now cycling 400 miles around Britain. Her message is “never give up” which is something we subscribe to at Costello and we now aim to raise at least £1500 to support her charity Spinal Research.
This year 83% of students achieved 5 or more A* - C grades and 72% of students achieved 5 or more A* - C grades including English and Mathematics; 93% of students gained an A* - C grade in Science, 81% in Mathematics and 79% in English. These results made us one of the highest achieving schools in Hampshire.
This has built on our recent successes and last term we were pleased that Ofsted recognised what a good school Costello is. Ofsted judged us to be a “good school where students make good progress to attain standards that are well above average”. They also stated that “students are polite, courteous and keen to do well. They engage positively and productively with each other and staff”. Ofsted said that “the quality of teaching is good overall with some outstanding” and “the school provides a safe and secure environment that enables them to learn and be successful”, “expectations of behaviour are high and students understand what constitutes good behaviour”. We also received positive feedback from our parents which included “the quality of education is excellent across the board. Each teacher has encouraged my child to achieve to her full potential”.
Last year we were also delighted to win the Award for ICT Innovation in the Education Business Awards which was further national recognition of our outstanding work in this area which supports the students’ learning across the School. This has built on our previous success of being shortlisted for the National TES Schools Award for Outstanding ICT Learning Initiative or Partnership which was excellent and demonstrated the outstanding innovations students have access to at Costello to support their learning of which we are so proud.
The School’s Primary Transition work, our Post 16 progression rates on to Science courses, and Girls performance in Art and Design (2011 Good Schools Guide Award for Girls taking Art and Design in terms of student performance) have also gained National recognition and awards for excellent practice.
At The Costello School learning is at the heart of everything we do and we recognise each student as an individual and every effort is made to ensure students achieve what they are capable of and are given as many opportunities as possible. As a School we then take time to celebrate student success with an emphasis on rewards and praise which is an important part of the School ethos. So please read the newsletters to catch up on the many activities that are occurring at the School throughout the year and all the student achievements.
Julia
Mortimore - Headteacher