Ofsted

Monday 14^th September 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Ofsted Inspection – Haven High Academy No Longer in Special Measures

I am delighted to be able to share with you the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection, which took place on 7 and 8 July 2026.

The most significant news is that Haven High Academy is no longer in special measures. Ofsted has formally concluded:

“His Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that the school no longer requires special measures.”

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.

The report recognises just how far Haven High has come. Inspectors state:

“After a turbulent past, the school's leadership has strengthened and stabilised. This has brought about significant improvements.”

They describe leaders as “ambitious and determined”, recognise that our work “has been impactful”, and specifically highlight improvements to attendance, behaviour and the curriculum. Inspectors also found that staff are “united in their determination to support leaders to improve the school.”

Most importantly, the changes are being felt by our students. Ofsted reports that:

“Pupils told inspectors that behaviour is much improved. The majority of pupils are happier at school than was previously the case. They feel safe and well cared for.”

The report also recognises the significant improvement in attendance, noting that attendance for disadvantaged students is now close to the national average and attendance for students with SEND is above that of students with SEND nationally.

We are particularly pleased that safeguarding standards are met, with Ofsted recognising an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and concerns are actively identified and acted upon. Personal development and wellbeing also meets the expected standard, with inspectors recognising our broad programme, careers provision, enrichment opportunities and the support available to students when they are worried or vulnerable.

The next stage of our journey

While this report gives us some cause to celebrate, we will not pretend that our work is finished.

Ofsted is clear that further improvement is required, particularly in ensuring consistently high-quality teaching, improving outcomes, supporting students to overcome gaps in reading, writing and mathematics, meeting the needs of students with SEND consistently in every classroom, and ensuring that our high expectations for behaviour are applied consistently.

We recognise these areas. They are already at the heart of our improvement plans, and we remain relentlessly ambitious for what Haven High can become.

Over the past two years, our immediate task has been to stabilise the academy, establish high expectations, improve attendance and behaviour, strengthen safeguarding and begin rebuilding the quality of education. The removal of special measures demonstrates the progress that has been made. Our next challenge is to build upon those foundations so that every student receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

We cannot achieve that ambition alone. The next stage of Haven High's improvement will depend upon a strong partnership between the academy, our students and you as parents and carers. Excellent attendance, positive behaviour, high expectations, hard work and strong support from home all matter. When academy, students and families work together, we give every young person the greatest possible opportunity to succeed.

I would like to thank our students for the way they have responded to the changes we have made; our staff for their extraordinary commitment and determination; Voyage Education Partnership and our governors and trustees for their support and challenge; and you, our parents and carers, for continuing to work alongside us.

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.

We are proud of the progress made, ambitious about what comes next, and determined to continue improving together.

The full Ofsted report will be available on the academy website and can be read here:

View the Ofsted Report for 2026 here

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Haven High Academy.

Yours faithfully,

Mr A Sheppard
Executive Headteacher
Haven High Academy

Please find below a link to the Ofsted website where you will find the latest Ofsted Report.

Should you wish for a paper copy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

View the Ofsted Report for 2026 here

Ofsted

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