19014 costello final 07
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Educating todays children for
tomorrows world
Established since 1908
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Provide a conduciveenvironment in which
initiative and challenge
can flourish
This prospectus is for you and we
hope that you find it informative.
Transfer to secondary school is a
very important stage in a young
persons life and we try to make that
transition as smooth as possible.
At Costello Technology College
we aim to provide academic rigour
within a supportive and inviting
environment. We value each student
in our care equally; we are committed
to their education and progress,
wherever their talents lie. Students
only get one chance and we takevery seriously our role in providing
the best possible opportunities for
them to make the most of their time
with us.
As a specialist Technology College
we seek to use existing and evolving
technology to full advantage in
teaching and learning and
communication across the College.
We also place great emphasis on the
role of the teacher and inspirational
teaching in raising achievement.
I am proud to lead what is a very
committed and professional team
of staff at Costello and in the last
few years we have enjoyed low
staff turnover.
Welcome to
Costello Technology College
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Established since 1908
At Costello Technology College we aim to:
Our Mission is Educating todays
children for tomorrows world.
Raise standards of achievement
leading to whole-school
improvement in performance
Be an active participant in a
learning society, developing and
sharing exciting, innovative practice
Promote a culture which is
technological, scientific and
vocational
Establish an ethos which
encompasses the spiritual, social
and educational development of
all students
Ensure that linguistic, creative and
physical areas of experience remain
an integral part of our curriculum
Provide a conducive environment
in which initiative and challenge
can flourish
Extend the range of contexts
for technological activity, while
increasing student motivationand exploring real-world issues
Maximise equality of learning
opportunities for all members
of our College
Recognise, value and celebrate
success
Raise our profile to become the
Technology hub of the learning
community within Basingstoke.
The College continually celebrates successes. Every year our students are
recognised locally and nationally for their achievements both academically
and in the fields of sport and other extra-curricular activities. The
College has been placed in the Specialist Schools & Academies
Trust Most Improved Club between 2003-2006, whilst at Key
Stage 3 our students performance is now within the top
40% of schools in the country. As Ofsted recognised, our
students attitude to learning and behaviour is good.
Costello Technology College is continuing to move
forward with increasing success and I hope you will
want to join us to be part of that success.
I look forward to welcoming you to the College.
Julia Mortimore
Headteacher
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The College a school
for the 21st century
Our school was founded in 1908.
Originally it was the Basingstoke High
School for Girls one of the countys
oldest and best-known grammar
schools. In the 1970s the school
became a mixed comprehensive. We
take pride in our long, distinguished
reputation and we have strived to retain
our strong traditional values as the
foundation upon which to build for
the future.
The College is now in its fifth year as a
specialist Technology College. This has
brought about considerable change
within the College with enhanced useof Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) across the whole
curriculum, increased emphasis on our
teaching and learning styles and closer
links with our community. Most of all it
has continued to drive up standards.
Technology now plays an increasingly
important part in our lives and we
aim to take advantage of the latest
developments. It is our intention that
students leave us competent in the
use of ICT.
The College has excellent facilities and
we place great emphasis on our
learning environment, not only in terms
of technology but through the display
of students work, improved catering
facilities and new toilets. The latest
improvements to our facilities include
our new Mathematics and Technology
Suite opened in April 2007 andequipped with facilities appropriate
for the 21st Century. We also benefit
from all subjects being taught in
specialist rooms.
Promote aculture which is
technological,
scientific and
vocational
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Established since 1908
There is a long tradition of achievement
associated with Costello Technology
College. We are very proud of the
young people who leave the College
at the end of their time with us. They
are amongst the high achievers in
Basingstoke and the vast majority of
our students go on to further success
in full-time higher education.
We know that happy children make good
learners. We are a caring community and
work hard to ensure we do all we can to
support and motivate our students.
Our Guidance system underpins theethos of the school and is organised
into Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4,
with a member of the Guidance Team
directly responsible for a particular year
group. Two non-teaching assistant
Guidance Leaders are available
throughout the day to deal with student
and parent concerns as well as a full-
time Welfare Officer. We also have
strong links with many multi-agencies.
Each student is a member of a Tutor
Group whose daily activities and
academic progress are overseen by
a Tutor. The Tutor is the first point of
contact for parents and it is hoped a
close working relationship will be
formed between the two.
Every student needs to be challenged
to do his or her best. At the beginningof Year 7 we carry out a range of
assessments and set target grades
for every student in every subject and
their progress is measured against
these targets.
What happens if progress
is not satisfactory?
It can happen. Students do
occasionally face crises. It is important
to identify the problem early. Our
immediate task is to find the reason.
Once we know that, we can begin to
take action to reduce difficulties.
Staff are continuously monitoring
performance. If we find a student is
not producing work of the quality, or the
quantity, that we expect, we will arrange
a support programme. This is likely to
include homework and study clubs,individual support and mentoring to
help them to get back on target. Of
course, its very important in these
circumstances to have the support
of the student and the parents.
Student support
and development
How we keep you informed of progress
Every student has a school diary in which homework is recorded and teacherscomment regularly. If you want an instant check on progress the diary will be
very helpful. Information in the diary includes advice from teachers to the student.
In addition, we ensure that every student has:
Ongoing monitoring by the Tutor in the form of academic mentoring
Two formal academic mentoring sessions in the year with the Tutor and
yourselves to discuss in detail the progress made
An interim report 3 times a year looking at attitudes to learning and
current levels/grades in comparison to end of year targets
Opportunities to meet with subject staff throughout the year to discuss
progress.
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We believe in creating an environment
in which students are settled, secure
and are able to pursue their work
without disruption and distraction,
where every child matters. We also
aim to develop a caring and
responsible attitude in students.
Our positive learning framework
is based clearly on the reward,
recognition and promotion of
good behaviour. However, we
deal firmly with those few
students who transgress the
boundary of considerate and
respectful behaviour. If this
happens, parents can expectprompt action. We rely on your full
support if it proves necessary to
deal with ill-disciplined behaviour.
Bullying and harassment occur
in all walks of life. At Costello
Technology College they are not
tolerated. We have developed astrong and effective anti-bullying
policy.
A prefect system and student
councils exist to help learners and
gives students the opportunity to
develop a sense of responsibility
to others and exercise leadership.
Lockers are available for all
students use.
Electronic registration is used
in tutor and every lesson.All students are involved in
charitable and community
activities whilst at the college.
A Careful and Purposeful
Environment
Rewards
The College puts great emphasis on
rewards and celebrating success and
believes in praise as a means of
motivation. Teachers award
endeavours and give merits for good
work and good attitude towards
learning. These lead to students being
presented with certificates during the
year and text messages and
postcards being sent home.
Assemblies are one of the many
opportunities we use to recognise andcelebrate the frequent successes of
our students. We also hold two annual
awards evenings during the year and
termly whole school assemblies.
Be an activeparticipant in a learning
society, developing and
sharing exciting,
innovative practice
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Established since 1908
Moving from Primary School
to Costello Technology College
We aim to prepare every student for
the transition and to promote the
skills required for becoming an
accomplished learner and work closely
with our partner schools to make sure
that our students join us happy,
confident and ready to learn.
Year 5 students in particular are invited
to Technology Days, where they have
the chance to look around the college
and take part in a range of activities. In
Year 6 prospective new students spend
a day at Costello in July and follow a
timetable in their new tutor groups.
Similarly, parents are invited to aninformation evening in July.
When the students are in Year 6, they
are visited in their own schools by our
staff together with students from Year 7
to share their experiences. This also
gives our staff the opportunity to
collect information on the students in
order to prepare profiles of the
students. This ensures that students
are placed in appropriate sets with
suitable classmates and that any
special needs are met.
In September, when the students
arrive, they are met by their tutor and
from then they are their central point of
contact. Each Year 7 tutor group also
has Year 11 prefects attached to them.
At Costello the welfare of your child is
paramount. In the first term you will
receive a Parent Handbook giving youadvice on how you can support your
child, be invited to a tutor-parent
evening to discuss how your child has
settled in and be issued with an interim
report at the end of the term.
Every effort is made to keep in
communication with you as we value
our partnership with parents.
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Curriculum and Learning
fulfilling the potential of all
The College offers a broad and
balanced curriculum for all students,
incorporating the requirements of the
National Curriculum, which promotes
the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and
physical development of students at
the College, preparing them for the
opportunities, responsibilities and
experiences of adult life.
At Key Stage 3 all students study the
core and foundation subjects of the
National Curriculum. In English,
Mathematics and Science we set
students by ability from Year 7.
All our new students in Year 7 have
an intensive learning strategies
programme. This includes teaching
the skills of organisation, research
and presentation. This innovative
programme is aimed at quickly
establishing good study habits from
the word go.
In Year 9 we enhance students
experience by offering them the choice
of studying a second language. In Year
9 we also begin
to offer some elements of choice to
students. Students make choices in
their Arts and Technology subjects so
they can study them in more depth.
At Key Stage 4 the College offers a
good range of subjects and activities
through a number of pathways and
students can study up to 10 ormore GCSEs.
At GCSE level we offer a rich variety of
courses including languages German
and French, Media Studies, Business
Studies and the Arts.
We offer Biology, Chemistry and Physics as
separate sciences at GCSE level, as well
as the Applied Science GCSE course.
We offer vocational qualifications including
Applied GCSEs in Engineering and
Science and Young Apprenticeship
programmes, 14-19 diplomas and Hair and
Beauty and CIDA/DIDA ICT courses which
are particularly targeted as they meet local
employer needs. Vocational courses are
delivered in-house and in conjunction
with BCoT.
As is the case with most successful
schools, we employ a broad range of
teaching and learning strategies and have a
variety of groupings for teaching purposes.Our aim throughout is to motivate and
challenge students to the maximum.
Ensure thatlinguistic, creative
and physical areas of
experience remain an
integral part of our
curriculum
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Established since 1908
We admit students to the College regardless of ability or
aptitude. The College endeavours to ensure that the best
possible provision is made for all its students, including those
with special educational needs, within the resources available.
The College has a Special Educational Needs Policy which is
available on request from the College.
From the first term of Year 7 additional help is given in
Literacy and Numeracy for those students whose Key Stage
2 results are the weakest. This support takes place in
specialised additional classes, either with teachers or
Teaching Assistants, or by withdrawal to enable students to
follow individual structured courses.
We also employ a specialist Teaching Assistant to support
students with English as an additional language and a primarytrained teacher to support students who need more support
on transition.
Special Educational
Needs
The More Able
Gifted and TalentedEach year our intake includes a number of students of
very high ability. Students may have a special aptitude in a
particular subject or they may be exceptionally able across
a wide range of subjects. A variety of strategies are
employed, including extension and enrichment activities
and early GCSE entry.
We have a member of staff who has responsibility for
developing further programmes for gifted students,
including successful entry in national competitions and
we support students in all years gaining entry to theNational Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.
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Student
Voice
At Costello Technology College we
are proud of all our students and their
involvement in the College. We value
our students opinions and have over
70 students representing their peers
in a well structured student voice
programme. Regular meetings give
the students a chance to voice their
opinions and they have contributed
their ideas in learning, bullying, school
meals and the environment to school
development. Student Voice
representatives are also involved in
writing columns in the local
newspapers, interview procedures,
assisting in extra-curricular eventsand sharing unity around the college.
Homework
Regular home learning is a valuable
part of the learning process and
contributes to the development of good
study habits and independent learning
and can significantly raise the standard
of attainment of all students. At Costello
Technology College students are set
homework on a regular basis. The
amount increases as students progress
through the College.
The homework will vary in length and
nature according to the subject and
learning needs of the students. In
September each student receives a
homework timetable and diary in whichthey are expected to record all
homework. We ask that our parents
support the College in seeing that
homework is completed conscientiously
and in conducive conditions.
Recognise, value andcelebrate success
The College offers a wide range of
clubs and visits to enrich the curriculum
and support students learning, which all
students are encouraged to participate
in as part of their wider education for
life. Students have the opportunity to
pursue interests and develop talents.
We are pleased that our successes
within sport go from strength to
strength. The College has a strong
reputation for sport and runs manyclubs in a variety of different sports.
Art is predominant throughout
the College with clubs everyday.
A range of residential visits are run
annually, including trips ski-ing,
watersports, Art Galleries in New
York, Battlefields, French Chateau,
German exchange, Year 7 Team
Building week.
Each year sees a range of musical
and drama events, including "Stars
in their Eyes", Bands Night and a
whole school drama production.
Revision and coursework sessions
exist after school and in the
holidays.
Homework club, the library and
ICT facilities are all supervised and
available everyday after school.
We involve a large number of
our students in industry-related
activities and competitions. We
have won many awards, including
the highly prestigious Young
Enterprise Competition in North
Hampshire, Rock Challenge,
Business challenge and Science
challenges.
As a Technology College, we also
work closely with other community
partners. We run joint projects with
local primary schools in Science,
ICT and Technology and throughactivities such as family Robot
Days, Silver Surfers and parent
workshops we organise
community learning.
Extra Curricular
Activities
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Established since 1908
Convenient, Easy Travel to CollegeCostello Technology College is close to the centre of Basingstoke. This means
that wherever our students live in or around the town, the College is very easy
to get to. Bus services operated by Hampshire Buses terminate close to or
pass the College. We have special arrangements with the bus company; for the
most popular services including those from Chineham and Old Basing
students are dropped off and picked up directly outside the College gates in
Crossborough Hill.
Spacious, Well Maintained Site
The College is based on a site of approximately 17 acres unusually large for a
school so close to a town centre. Buildings are from various periods, some dating
back to the foundation of the school in 1908. Wide-ranging refurbishments have
given us new classrooms and science laboratories, as well as a completely new
Mathematics and Technology suite opened in 2007 equipped with futuristic ICT
and technology facilities.
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Established since 1908
More Information?
If you want more detailed information or would like to visit the College, please
contact us by telephone or letter. We will be happy to meet you, tell you whatever
you need to know, and take you around the College. Also look at our website,
www.costello.hants.sch.uk and at our School Profile and Ofsted report which can
be accessed through links on the website.
Costello Technology College,
Crossborough Hill,
Basingstoke,
RG21 4AL
Tel: 01256 321263
Fax: 01256 358629
E-mail:cadmin@costello.hants.sch.uk
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