Head of Academy
Mr Van Lier started his career as a Production Chemist for Courtaulds Textiles following the completion of a Chemistry degree at Cardiff University. He soon moved onto a career in retail management with Marks & Spencer, ending up as the Assistant Food Manager of their flagship store in Oxford Street before commencing a food buying role in their Head Office. After 4 years he moved north to Spalding following the birth of his daughter for a “better life”. He worked with several suppliers to the multiple retail sector culminating in the role as Managing Director of UtopiaUK a supplier of tropical and exotic produce to customers like M&S, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. He then made the positive career decision to become a Teacher of Chemistry starting his training at The Thomas Cowley High School. He then completed several roles including Deputy Headship for the Greenwood Dale Academies Trust in Corby and in May 2018 he was selected to be the Headteacher of Haven High Academy. During his civilian career he has also served his country as an Officer in the Army Reserve, currently holding the rank of Field Officer at the Army Training Regiment, Grantham.
Senior Leadership Team
Mrs Wharf – Senior Deputy Headteacher
Mrs Wharff attended Boston High School before studying at the University of Birmingham. She began teaching Maths at Skegness and Kitwood schools prior to starting at Haven High when it opened in 1992. She has held various roles including Head of Year, Head of Maths and is now Senior Deputy with responsibility for assessment and data. Her passion will always be teaching Maths and she enjoys working with our students to ensure that they all have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Mrs Albelda – Deputy Headteacher
Mrs Albelda started her working life as a performer on cruise ships around the world before retraining to be a teacher in 1998. She has been working at HHA for 19 years, first as the Head of RE and PSHEE and now as Deputy Headteacher. A Lincolnshire girl herself, she feels it is so important to empower young people to achieve their potential and see beyond Boston. Mrs Albelda recently achieved Specialist Leader in Education status and is looking forward to supporting colleagues and students in other local schools. She recently became a grandmother and is loving spending time with her new grandson.
Mr Amaral – Deputy Headteacher
Mr Thompson – Assistant Headteacher
Mr Thompson attended Kitwood Boys School Boston before leaving to complete an apprenticeship with East Midlands Electricity Board as an electrician. He left the Electricity Board in 1991 to read Mathematical Methods for Information Technology at Nottingham Trent University. After graduating he worked in the IT industry in and around London and at various locations. For the next 10 years he was employed by two Blue Chip companies IBM and BAe Systems respectively, as a Configuration Manager and 3rd Line Support Manager for Logistics Support Software on several MOD projects. In 2004 he moved back to Lincolnshire and joined the team at Haven High as a maths teacher. He has held various roles including Head of Maths, Director of Studies whilst also qualifying as an Advanced Skills Teacher and he is now an Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for curriculum. His goal is to encourage students to believe in themselves and achieve more than they thought possible.
Mrs Garbutt – Assistant Headteacher
Mr Wiles – Assistant Headteacher
Mr Wiles began his working life as an aircraft engineer in the Royal Air Force, working on a variety of military aircraft including Tornado F3 and Jaguar GR1. After 15 years, and the completion of a very challenging military course, he truly understood the importance of education and in 2002, retrained as a teacher. During his teaching career, Mr Wiles has held a variety of posts including Head of Department, Head of Year, Head of House, Head of Army cadets, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Training in a variety of schools in Lincolnshire. In 2012, after the tragic death of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging (Red 4), he was instrumental in the development of the Jon Egging Trust, a nationwide charity supporting young people to overcome adversity, identify their strengths and realise their potential. He remains a trustee of this very important and worthwhile charity. Mr Wiles joined the Haven team in September 2019 as the Senior Leader responsible for Tollfield campus. His passion is to enable every student to ‘be the best they can be’ so that life chances are not limited to previous expectations but widened to future dreams.
