Based in Boston, supporting communities with high levels of deprivation, it’s hard to overstate the difference that St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy, Boston, makes for it families.
This hasn’t, however, always been the case. In 2017 when Fiona Booth, the school’s current Headteacher joined, a staff member said: “this is the place that light and joy goes to die”. Rated Ofsted inadequate, only 24% of pupils achieved expected standards in SATs, pupil attendance was low, behaviour was challenging and morale was very low.
Fiona Booth, Headteacher, has since given the school a whole new self-belief – and her being awarded an MBE couldn’t be any more deserved.
Gavin Booth, the CEO of Infinity Academies Trust, said: “We needed someone to believe in the community’s potential and to be driven to provide the very best for them.
“This wasn’t simply about education but improving the lives of families, making sure they felt safe and loved.”
Today, St Nic’s has had validation for all its efforts. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted (2023), praised by SIAMS (2025), achieving above national outcomes across the board and, at 74%, is now the top performing school in Boston (2025) for Combined Outcomes.
Inclusion is at the heart of St Nic’s, the team work hard to empower pupils to believe in themselves and to achieve incredible things.
In 2024, the school was awarded the Anti-Bullying Alliance Gold Award and was in Edurio’s Top 10 schools nationally for staff survey results – winning the Edurio Staff Workload Balance Award too.
What makes this school so special is the many ways that it reaches out into the community, changing lives. St Nic’s has become a driving force for projects locally and nationally.
However, one child summed it up best: “I am the luckiest person on earth, this is such a good school. I never want to leave, I want to continue to let my light shine.”
Fiona Booth said: “Getting a letter in the post from Buckingham Palace was incredible. It made a change to flyers.
“Receiving an MBE is a tremendous honour. I know it is a cliché, but this isn’t about me. What we have achieved as a school reflects the strength, support, and dedication of the incredible community around me.
“This recognition belongs as much to them as it does to me, and I am proud to be part of St Nics and Infinity Academies.”
