Haven High Academy

About Haven High Academy

Haven High Academy received 143 first-preference applications for 253 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, meaning it was oversubscribed by a ratio of 1.05 to one. That modest oversubscription suggests a reasonable level of local demand, though it is worth noting that the school does not have a sixth form, which may affect its appeal for families looking for a full secondary-through-sixth-form route. There is no parent-view survey data available to give a direct sense of how current families rate the school, but the oversubscription figure indicates that a significant number of families in Boston are actively choosing it. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with a capacity of 1,275 and currently 1,272 on roll. Over a third of pupils (36.4%) are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average and points to a community with higher-than-average levels of disadvantage.

Academically, the picture is challenging. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024, the school was rated Inadequate overall, with behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and quality of education all judged Inadequate, and personal development rated Requires improvement. This was a downgrade from its previous Requires improvement rating in November 2022. Exam results for 2023/24 show a Progress 8 score of -0.65, which is well below average and ranks the school 46th out of 57 similar schools in Lincolnshire. The local authority average Progress 8 is -0.06, so pupils at Haven High are making significantly less progress than their peers across the county. Attainment 8 stands at 31.3, and only 34.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, compared with 16.2% achieving a grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is low at 10.8%, and just 2.7% of pupils entered the full EBacc.

The school does offer a broad range of facilities, including art studios, music rooms, science labs, a theatre, and a gymnasium, plus playing fields and tennis courts. Sports on offer include rugby, football, hockey, rowing and martial arts, and there is a decent selection of clubs such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model UN, debating, and an orchestra. SEND provision is relatively comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families in Boston who are looking for a secondary school with a strong SEND offer and a wide extracurricular programme, Haven High may still be a viable option, but the Inadequate Ofsted rating and below-average Progress 8 score mean it is not a straightforward recommendation for those prioritising academic outcomes.

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