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Welcome to Polam School

Polam School is an independent pre-preparatory school and nursery, with a heritage spanning 100 years.

Located in the heart of Bedford, our school provides the perfect home from home environment for your child to begin their educational journey, from the age of 1 to 7 years.

With art, swimming and IT all introduced in small groups from an early age, our curriculum goes way beyond national expectations.

The majority of our children progress to the local Harpur Trust, but destinations also include other Cognita Schools, as well as a number of highly regarded state primary schools in Bedfordshire.

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Small & Nurturing

Our small class sizes ensure that each child receives personalised attention, giving a sense of belonging and encouraging their confidence to soar.

Facilities & Location



Immersive Learning

Our immersive learning rooms offer children the ideal spaces to fully engage with their learning.

At Polam School, education is not just taught; it's experienced, in our dynamic atmosphere where imagination flourishes.

Academic Excellence



Physical & Mental Wellbeing

Our dedicated approach to physical education and well-being programmes ensures that every child learns the importance of a healthy body and a peaceful mind from an early age.

Your Child's Journey
Meet our Headteacher
"We want to instil a love of learning that will stay with them and prepare them for the next steps...

...Academically we get the results our parents want, whilst giving our children the kind of childhood they’ll remember fondly."

- Headmaster, Darren O'Neil

Award winning!

We were thrilled to be awarded winner of Independent Pre-Prep of the Year for 2021 at the Independent Schools of the Year awards!

We were commended particularly for our outstanding commitment to pupil wellbeing and for our innovative immersive learning programme.

We couldn’t be more proud!

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Wonderful, family oriented, child focused & loving environment. Extremely supportive school for both students & parents.

– Parent, Polam School

Inspection Report

Double Excellent

We are incredibly proud to have successfully achieved the highest possible accreditation of ‘Double Excellent’ by the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate).

Inspectors commented that the quality of the pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent. Pupils' achievements are excellent as a result of teaching that combines high expectations with encouragement, imagination and fun.

EYFS children make rapid progress and achieve highly, with the vast majority reaching at least the expected level of development. By the time pupils leave they attain excellent results in externally standardised test and curriculum assessments.

Inspection Reports

Join us for a Private Tour


On a Private Tour you will have the opportunity to tour the school, meet key members of staff, and learn more about what a Polam education looks like.

Please click below to register for a Private Tour. We can’t wait to meet you!

Book a Private Tour

FACILITIES & LOCATION

A welcoming atmosphere that embraces everyone

Polam is an award winning prepreparatory school located in the heart of Bedford for ages 1 to 7.

In 2023/2024, the school celebrates it's 100th year.

Set inside two large Victorian houses, with multiple staircases, high ceilings and plenty of character - it has a real home away from home feel.

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Follow Polam School on Social Media

Last few spaces left.

There’s only 5 days until the Polam Open Day! If you’d like to take a look at our lovely school, follow the link in our bio to book a slot (morning and afternoon available).

If you can’t make it, then we can also arrange a personal tour at a date/time that suits 😊

Open
Last few spaces left. There’s only 5 days until the Polam Open Day! If you’d like to take a look at our lovely school, follow the link in our bio to book a slot (morning and afternoon available). If you can’t make it, then we can also arrange a personal tour at a date/time that suits 😊

Year two have been writing lovely anonymous messages to their classmates 💙 We all know how it is to receive a compliment and they have been flying around Polam even more than normal this week 😍

Open
Year two have been writing lovely anonymous messages to their classmates 💙 We all know how it is to receive a compliment and they have been flying around Polam even more than normal this week 😍

Today, our children visited a local care home, bringing sparkling gifts for the residents and performing the much-loved Kindness Song, a favorite here at Polam. Through their thoughtful gifts, songs, and time, the children demonstrated one of the essential Ways to be Well - giving. Helping others, whether through small acts of kindness or volunteering, brings joy and enhances life satisfaction.

This special visit was part of Polam’s Week to be Well, as well as Cognita’s Impact Hour on Global Be Well Day.

There are countless ways to practice wellbeing within the framework of connecting, being active, taking notice, learning, and giving. It’s important to explore these in various forms, whether through technology, creativity, or in-person experiences. Equally important is supporting each other and our children in their chosen ways of expressing themselves, being mindful that not everyone has the luxury to fulfill the 5 ways to be well in conventional ways, whether that is giving a gift to a neighbour or connecting to a family member on the other side of the world through an online homework app.

All of this, plus the hard work of teachers, staff, and everyone else in education helps our children grow more resilient, thrive, and, ultimately, be well.

Happy Global Be Well Day to you all! 🌍💙

#GBWD2024 #Cognita #WeektobeWell #Polam #Bedford #CognitaImpactHour

Open
Today, our children visited a local care home, bringing sparkling gifts for the residents and performing the much-loved Kindness Song, a favorite here at Polam. Through their thoughtful gifts, songs, and time, the children demonstrated one of the essential Ways to be Well - giving. Helping others, whether through small acts of kindness or volunteering, brings joy and enhances life satisfaction. This special visit was part of Polam’s Week to be Well, as well as Cognita’s Impact Hour on Global Be Well Day. There are countless ways to practice wellbeing within the framework of connecting, being active, taking notice, learning, and giving. It’s important to explore these in various forms, whether through technology, creativity, or in-person experiences. Equally important is supporting each other and our children in their chosen ways of expressing themselves, being mindful that not everyone has the luxury to fulfill the 5 ways to be well in conventional ways, whether that is giving a gift to a neighbour or connecting to a family member on the other side of the world through an online homework app. All of this, plus the hard work of teachers, staff, and everyone else in education helps our children grow more resilient, thrive, and, ultimately, be well. Happy Global Be Well Day to you all! 🌍💙 #GBWD2024 #Cognita #WeektobeWell #Polam #Bedford #CognitaImpactHour

Children at  Polam school will join over 90,000 pupils and 18,000 staff from more than 100 Cognita schools around the world today to mark Global Be Well Day.
 
Now in its sixth year, Global Be Well Day showcases a wide array of activities and events centred around a six-step formula for lifelong health based on global research. This year’s theme is ‘Giving’, which will see students, teachers, staff and parents around the world take part in a ‘Be Well Impact Hour’, dedicating one hour of their time to connect, support, and inspire change within their communities.

Today (and again next week) our children will be visiting local care homes to read with the residents, there will also be a 4 legged friend tagging along 🐶.
 
By joining together with school communities in 16 different countries around the world to mark Global Be Well Day, we celebrate our collective commitment to wellbeing. This year’s theme, ‘Giving’, provides our children an opportunity to help build an even more compassionate and connected community. We link this day in with our very own Week to be Well which is spearheaded by Mrs Wharton, our Wellbeing Lead.

#GBWD2024 #CognitaImpactHour #WeekToBeWell #5WaysToBeWell

Open
Children at  Polam school will join over 90,000 pupils and 18,000 staff from more than 100 Cognita schools around the world today to mark Global Be Well Day.   Now in its sixth year, Global Be Well Day showcases a wide array of activities and events centred around a six-step formula for lifelong health based on global research. This year’s theme is ‘Giving’, which will see students, teachers, staff and parents around the world take part in a ‘Be Well Impact Hour’, dedicating one hour of their time to connect, support, and inspire change within their communities. Today (and again next week) our children will be visiting local care homes to read with the residents, there will also be a 4 legged friend tagging along 🐶.   By joining together with school communities in 16 different countries around the world to mark Global Be Well Day, we celebrate our collective commitment to wellbeing. This year’s theme, ‘Giving’, provides our children an opportunity to help build an even more compassionate and connected community. We link this day in with our very own Week to be Well which is spearheaded by Mrs Wharton, our Wellbeing Lead. #GBWD2024 #CognitaImpactHour #WeekToBeWell #5WaysToBeWell

Be Active! One of the 5 ways to be well.

Regular physical activity can improve mental health as well as physical health. It doesn’t have to be intense—walking, dancing, or gardening all count! Here some of our Preschoolers have been navigating the gym equipment in one of their specialist PE lessons 💪

Open
Be Active! One of the 5 ways to be well. Regular physical activity can improve mental health as well as physical health. It doesn’t have to be intense—walking, dancing, or gardening all count! Here some of our Preschoolers have been navigating the gym equipment in one of their specialist PE lessons 💪

Begin an unforgettable adventure

Our aim at Polam School is to give the children the perfect start. We want to instil a love of learning that will stay with them and prepare them for the next steps.
Your child's learning journey
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Nursery & Preschool

1 - 4 yrs old

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Reception

4 -5 yrs old

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Years 1 to 2

5 - 7 yrs old

Next Steps:
Open Days & Visits
Academic Excellence
Facilities & Location

Polam School