19014 costello final 07

8/3/2019 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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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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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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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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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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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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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:[email protected]

19014 costello final 07

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