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
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There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book!
One of the many magical moments we see at Polam is our children fully immersed in their stories, exploring new worlds and expanding their imaginations.
Our cozy reading spaces encourage a love of books from an early age, helping to build strong language skills, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning.
#polam #bedfordschools #nursery #preprep #independentschool #bedford
We have some superheroes in our midst! Eight of our Year 1 children have had their incredible superhero designs featured in the book Super Me!
This fantastic competition invited young artists to dream up their own superheroes, and we’re so proud that our children’s creations were chosen to be published. From super speed to ice powers, their imaginations ran wild - and now their work is in print for everyone to see!
Well done to all of Year 1 for putting yourselves out there by entering this competition, and thank you to Miss Billing, Mrs Thomson, Mrs Wilcock, and Mrs Burton for organising and encouraging the children every day.
Number crunchers in action!
Year 1 have been working hard on their maths skills, using hands-on activities to explore numbers, patterns, and problem-solving. From counting and grouping to simple addition, it’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they tackle new challenges.
#bedfordschools #preprep #independentschool #maths #cognita
See what our parents have to say!
At Polam, we know that choosing the right school or nursery for your child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. That’s why we love hearing from our parents about their experiences with us!
Here’s what some of our families had to say in our latest Voice of the Parent survey:
📢 “This place is truly amazing – it’s not just a school but a place that genuinely cares about the kids. They’ve helped my son grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and I couldn’t be happier.”
📢 “Fantastic home-from-home environment – lots of love and care given to children.”
📢 “The individual focus on kids really stands out. Everyone helped so much in settling my child in.”
We are so proud to be part of this incredible community, and we’re committed to providing the very best for our children every single day.
Of course, like any school/nursery, there were also areas we can do better, we have actioned these comments so that we can truly live up to being the perfect start for your little one.
💙 Want to see what makes Polam so special? Book a visit and experience it for yourself!
#vop25 #cognita #bedfordschools #preprep #parentsvoice #education
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
