A dedicated headteacher from Boston has been honoured with an MBE after completely turning around a struggling local school. Fiona Booth received the prestigious royal recognition for her exceptional work at St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy. The announcement was made in the King's Birthday Honours List on June 13, 2026.
Located in an area of high deprivation, the academy now makes a significant difference to local families. However, the school's situation was vastly different when the headteacher first joined in 2017. At that time, the academy was rated inadequate by Ofsted, pupil attendance was low, and morale was poor. One staff member even described the school as: "This is the place that light and joy goes to die." Only 24% of pupils achieved expected standards in exams, and behaviour was challenging.
Fiona has since instilled a new sense of self-belief across the school, transforming it into a place where lives are changed. Today, the academy is rated 'Good' by Ofsted and achieves academic outcomes above the national average. It is now the top-performing school in Boston for combined outcomes, with 74% of pupils succeeding. The school has also won anti-bullying awards and was named in the top ten schools nationally for staff satisfaction.
Community Impact and Recognition
Gavin Booth, 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." The team works tirelessly to put inclusion at the heart of the school and empower pupils to achieve great things.
On her achievement, Fiona said: "Getting a letter in the post from Buckingham Palace was incredible... 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."
Location: Boston in Lincolnshire.
