SCHOOLS minister Nick Gibb recently visited a Basingstoke secondary school to coincide with the opening of its new £70,000 science labs.

Mr Gibb was joined by Basingstoke MP Maria Miller to be shown around the Costello School and see progress that has been made at the school.

It has been a year since the Crossborough Hill was taken over by the Bohunt Education, and the school wanted to showcase the progress which has been made in that time.

Both Mrs Miller and the minister met senior students Maddie Wingrove, Freya Barter and Jensen Clare and were delighted to hear how The Costello School has managed to blend academic challenge with excellent enrichment opportunities, with all three students keen to discuss how varied and well supported their time at the school has been.

Mr Gibb said: “The Headteacher and staff at the Costello School are clearly driven to ensure every pupil has the best education, particularly in those core academic subjects such as English, maths, sciences, the humanities and foreign languages, that widen opportunities for the next stage of their students’ lives.

“I was highly impressed by the high standard of behaviour and the nurturing and supportive atmosphere.”

During the visit the two MPs were treated to lessons in science, maths, English and construction.