Haven High Academy in Boston is no longer in special measures following its latest Ofsted inspection, marking what school leaders have described as an “incredibly important milestone” after two years of improvement work.
Inspectors visited the Marian Road academy on 7 and 8 July 2026, with His Majesty’s Chief Inspector formally concluding that the school “no longer requires special measures.”
The newly published report assesses Haven High under Ofsted’s renewed inspection framework. Personal development and wellbeing was judged to be at the “expected standard”, while achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance were all assessed as “needs attention.” Safeguarding standards were met.
In a letter sent to parents following publication of the report, Executive Headteacher Austin Sheppard said the removal of special measures represented a significant moment for the academy.
He said: “This is an incredibly important milestone for our academy and our community. Two years ago, Haven High was judged inadequate and placed into special measures. Since then, our staff, students, families, governors and colleagues across Voyage Education Partnership have worked tirelessly to transform the academy.”
Ofsted recognised the progress made, saying that following a “turbulent past”, the school’s leadership had “strengthened and stabilised” and that this had resulted in significant improvements.
Inspectors described leaders as “ambitious and determined”, highlighting improvements to attendance and behaviour alongside work to redesign the curriculum. The report also said trust leaders had been influential in supporting the academy to make necessary improvements.
Mr Sheppard told parents: “There is still more to do, but we should also recognise what has been achieved. Haven High Academy is no longer an inadequate school in special measures. That represents a significant moment in the academy’s history and reflects the collective efforts of an entire community over the past two years.”
The report found that pupils themselves had noticed changes at Haven High, with pupils telling inspectors that behaviour had “much improved”. Ofsted said the majority of pupils were happier at school than previously and felt safe and well cared for. Incidents of bullying and discrimination were described as rare and not tolerated.
However, inspectors also identified a number of areas where further improvement is required.
Pupils’ achievement across the curriculum was described as inconsistent, with gaps in previous learning and weaknesses in basic skills not always being addressed. Ofsted said Key Stage 4 examination results had been below national averages, although inspectors acknowledged that achievement had begun to improve.
Figures contained within the report show that 12.4% of Haven High pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs in 2024/25, compared with 45.4% nationally. The academy recorded an Attainment 8 score of 31.7, compared with a national average of 46.1.
The quality of teaching was also found to vary. Inspectors said teachers do not always check pupils’ understanding carefully enough, while strategies intended to help pupils overcome barriers to learning are not consistently implemented. The report says this can result in some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities not receiving the support they need to succeed.
Attendance and behaviour was another area rated as needing attention. Despite improvements, inspectors found that a minority of pupils continue to disrupt learning and negatively affect other pupils’ enjoyment of school, with some inconsistency in how poor behaviour is addressed. At the same time, Ofsted said the majority of pupils have positive attitudes to learning and classrooms are typically calm.
Mr Sheppard acknowledged the findings, telling parents: “While this report gives us some cause to celebrate, we will not pretend that our work is finished.”
He said the academy recognised the need to ensure consistently high-quality teaching, improve outcomes, address gaps in reading, writing and mathematics, consistently meet the needs of pupils with SEND and ensure high expectations for behaviour are applied throughout the school.
“Our next challenge is to build upon those foundations so that every student receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day,” he added.
There was stronger recognition for personal development and wellbeing, which met Ofsted’s expected standard. Inspectors praised the academy’s programme for preparing pupils for adulthood, its careers provision and the support available to vulnerable pupils or those experiencing difficulties.
Ofsted has set out a series of next steps, including ensuring improvement strategies have a sustained impact, improving consistency in classroom support, strengthening the curriculum and helping pupils with weaker foundations in reading, writing and mathematics catch up more quickly.
Mr Sheppard thanked students, staff, parents and carers, governors, trustees and Voyage Education Partnership for their role in the academy’s progress, adding: “We are proud of the progress made, ambitious about what comes next, and determined to continue improving together.”
Boston VIBE has also approached the Chief Executive Officer of Voyage Education Partnership for comment.
