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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

Focused, one-on-one learning time makes all the difference in a child’s early development. Our dedicated staff ensure that every preschooler gets the attention they need to thrive, exploring new concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. Here, one of our new starters is doing just that with the legendary Miss Bird 🌟

#school #preschool #bedfordschools #bedfordnurseries #nursery

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Focused, one-on-one learning time makes all the difference in a child’s early development. Our dedicated staff ensure that every preschooler gets the attention they need to thrive, exploring new concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. Here, one of our new starters is doing just that with the legendary Miss Bird 🌟 #school #preschool #bedfordschools #bedfordnurseries #nursery

We’re at Bedford Running Festival this weekend! Mr O’Neil will be running the 10k at 5:30pm today if you need any excuse to come down. Come along and say hi, we’ve got some Polam branded cups to give away so be sure to grab one before visiting the coffee van!

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We’re at Bedford Running Festival this weekend! Mr O’Neil will be running the 10k at 5:30pm today if you need any excuse to come down. Come along and say hi, we’ve got some Polam branded cups to give away so be sure to grab one before visiting the coffee van!

Our school aged children enjoyed their first RISE lesson of the year today! 
 
In preparation for our yearly “Week to be Well”,  the children focussed on Taking Notice (one of the 5 ways to be well) The children took part in activities which help calm the mind and made magic breathing sticks to practise the calming effects of breathwork! We’ll let our Reception children show you how to use them!

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Our school aged children enjoyed their first RISE lesson of the year today!    In preparation for our yearly “Week to be Well”,  the children focussed on Taking Notice (one of the 5 ways to be well) The children took part in activities which help calm the mind and made magic breathing sticks to practise the calming effects of breathwork! We’ll let our Reception children show you how to use them!

Fully Qualified!

This week our school wellbeing dog Ruby undertook her final assessment to be registered as a Pet`s as Therapy dog. We can proudly announce that after demonstrating all of the qualities needed, Ruby passed! This is a huge achievement and reflection of the training and integration Mrs Wharton and Ruby have been working on ever since she joined us aged just 12 weeks. 
 
Becoming a Pet`s as Therapy dog means that Ruby has proven that she exhibits calmness and gentleness in diverse settings, remains unfazed by unusual stimuli and demonstrates a high degree of trainability, readily following commands and offering comfort cues. Therapy dogs encourage social interaction, emotional expression, comfort and wellbeing and we feel very fortunate that Ruby is able to offer this to the children here at Polam on a weekly basis. 
 
If you would like to know more about the charity, then please do visit their website: https://petsastherapy.org/

Check out how cute she is in her new bandana! 🐶

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Fully Qualified! This week our school wellbeing dog Ruby undertook her final assessment to be registered as a Pet's as Therapy dog. We can proudly announce that after demonstrating all of the qualities needed, Ruby passed! This is a huge achievement and reflection of the training and integration Mrs Wharton and Ruby have been working on ever since she joined us aged just 12 weeks.    Becoming a Pet's as Therapy dog means that Ruby has proven that she exhibits calmness and gentleness in diverse settings, remains unfazed by unusual stimuli and demonstrates a high degree of trainability, readily following commands and offering comfort cues. Therapy dogs encourage social interaction, emotional expression, comfort and wellbeing and we feel very fortunate that Ruby is able to offer this to the children here at Polam on a weekly basis.    If you would like to know more about the charity, then please do visit their website: https://petsastherapy.org/ Check out how cute she is in her new bandana! 🐶

Still time to apply!

If you think your little one would thrive in an Outstanding setting then consider Polam School & Nursery - for children aged 1-7 in Bedford.

Polam offers swimming, music, outdoors learning, and more as part of the curriculum. Academically the school is well above average in all areas and even has a little therapy dog called Ruby that makes regular visits to the children as part of wellbeing lessons.

Polam take admissions throughout the year, visit the website or call to enquire and visit for a personal tour. There is also an Open Day coming up on the 16th of October - book your slot on the website!

#bedfordschools #school #nursery #bedfordnursery #preprep #preschool #bedfordpreschool #harpurtrust #cognita

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Still time to apply! If you think your little one would thrive in an Outstanding setting then consider Polam School & Nursery - for children aged 1-7 in Bedford. Polam offers swimming, music, outdoors learning, and more as part of the curriculum. Academically the school is well above average in all areas and even has a little therapy dog called Ruby that makes regular visits to the children as part of wellbeing lessons. Polam take admissions throughout the year, visit the website or call to enquire and visit for a personal tour. There is also an Open Day coming up on the 16th of October - book your slot on the website! #bedfordschools #school #nursery #bedfordnursery #preprep #preschool #bedfordpreschool #harpurtrust #cognita

Welcome Back to Polam!!

Summer is over and the new term is in full swing. Lots of smiling faces returned to Polam ready for the new year and we couldn’t be more excited!

The team have spent lots of time making the school look the best it ever has - we’ll have photos and a virtual tour to show off soon so you can see for yourself!

#school #nursery #preschool #bedfordschools #bedfordnurseries #preprep #cognita #firstday #welcomeback

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Welcome Back to Polam!! Summer is over and the new term is in full swing. Lots of smiling faces returned to Polam ready for the new year and we couldn’t be more excited! The team have spent lots of time making the school look the best it ever has - we’ll have photos and a virtual tour to show off soon so you can see for yourself! #school #nursery #preschool #bedfordschools #bedfordnurseries #preprep #cognita #firstday #welcomeback

Back to School next week!

We can’t wait to welcome all of our lovely pupils back to Polam for the new academic year!!

We’re back on Wednesday the 4th of September and excited to see all those smiling faces 😊😊

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Back to School next week! We can’t wait to welcome all of our lovely pupils back to Polam for the new academic year!! We’re back on Wednesday the 4th of September and excited to see all those smiling faces 😊😊

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

...
Years 1 to 2

5 - 7 yrs old

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

Polam School