Welcome to Polam School
Polam School is an independent pre-preparatory school and nursery, with a heritage spanning over 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.
...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!
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.
Join us for a Personal Tour
On a Personal 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 Personal Tour. We can’t wait to meet you!
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, the school celebrated its 100th year. The original Headmistress, Mrs Crump, would be so proud to see where the school is now,
Set inside two large Victorian houses, with multiple staircases, high ceilings and plenty of character - it has a real home away from home feel.
Learn more
Follow Polam School on Social Media
In a classroom not too far away,
A little astronaut came to play.
With silver boots and helmet bright,
She dreamed of stars from morning to night.
She counted down “Three, two, one!”
Her World Book Day had just begun.
Off she zoomed, past Mars and the Moon,
Back in time for lunch at noon.
And though her journey reached its end,
She shared her story with every friend.
Because here at Polam, come what may,
We live the magic of books each day.
Hope you’ve all had a wonderful World Book Day!
#worldbookday2025 #bedford #bedfordschools #cognita #reading #independentschool
Aiming high and having fun!
Our pupils had an unforgettable experience with @bedsfire , getting hands-on with the hose and learning about the vital work firefighters do. Opportunities like these bring learning to life - sparking curiosity, confidence, and excitement.
At Polam, we believe in inspiring young minds through real-world experiences. Whether it’s firefighting, outdoor education, or exploring new ideas in the classroom, every day is filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
🚒
#bedfordschools #firefighting #prepschool #thrive #bedford
⭐ Your words matter! ⭐
We love hearing about the wonderful experiences our families have at Polam! These recent reviews from Day Nurseries remind us why we do what we do - creating a nurturing, engaging, and happy environment for every child. 💙
If Polam has made a difference for your little one, we`d love for you to share your experience! Your reviews help other families see what makes our nursery so special, and the team love reading them!
📢 Leave us a review on the Day Nurseries website
Thank you for being part of our Polam family!
#PolamNursery #ParentVoice #BedfordSchools
🌟 Guiding Little Hands Towards Big Futures 🌟
Every big journey starts with a small step, and at Polam, we’re here to support each one. Through nurturing care, inspiring learning, and a warm, family feel, we help children grow in confidence and curiosity - ready to take on the world and thrive.
Thinking about Polam for your child? We’re open for enquiries all year round, including during school holidays. Get in touch to find out more!
📩 Contact us today to arrange a visit.
#PolamSchool #Cognita #EarlyEducation #BedfordSchools
🎨✨ Polam Art Exhibition 2024 ✨🎨
A huge thank you to everyone who made our art exhibition such a special event! Our talented children filled the gymnasium with incredible artwork, and it was wonderful to see their creativity on display.
Thank you to our amazing team for setting everything up so beautifully, to our young artists for their hard work, and to all the parents who came along to celebrate their achievements. Your support means so much!
Love is in the air at Polam! ❤️
From heart-shaped crafts to friendship-themed activities, our children have been busy spreading kindness and creativity this Valentine’s week. It’s been wonderful to see them working together, sharing smiles, and making special memories.
Here’s a little peek at all the love and laughter from the past few days! ❤️
#PolamSchool #ValentinesAtPolam #LoveLearning #KindHearts#BedfordSchools #Cognita
Break the Rules Day at Polam!
Today is no ordinary day at Polam - it’s Break the Rules Day!
Our children have been filling the Kindness Jar with acts of good deeds, and their incredible efforts have earned them this well-deserved reward. They voted for a day where the usual school rules take a back seat… within reason, of course!
From wacky hairstyles to wearing PJs to school, the children are having a blast messing with the rules of school. A huge well done to them for showing kindness, teamwork, and generosity in the lead-up to today - it’s been wonderful to see how much they care for one another.
We can’t wait to see what creative ideas they come up with next time!
