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Ethos, Aims & History

A place for pupils to thrive

We provide our education and value-based journey in a home from home setting. We have optimal class sizes and dedicated teaching staff which have in depth knowledge of each individual child.

We offer one of the top nurseries in the Bedford and Milton Keynes area, with highly qualified and specialist nursery nurses and all the benefits and facilities of an independent school. Whether your child joins us as a baby, toddler or just for the school years, we are confident that when our children move on, they will be happy, caring and successful.

The majority of our children progress to the Harpur Trust Schools in Bedford, but we also have links with other top independent schools including those in our own Cognita Group. Indeed, a number of parents choose to send their children to state schools, confident that their child has had the very best start in life.

Polam School Aims


To teach children to understand how to look after themselves, stay safe and make healthy choices


To ensure children are caring, kind and respectful to those around them


To give children opportunities to be curious, make good progress and enjoy their learning


To ensure children feel confident, independent and resilient

We have always been thoroughly impressed to watch the learning journey of our young children develop over time as a result of the high quality learning that takes place within Polam.

 – Parent, Polam School

Join us for an Open Day


At our Open Days you will have the opportunity to meet our Head and other key members of staff, and learn more about what a Polam education looks like.

Please click below to register to attend our upcoming Open Day. We can’t wait to meet you!

From the 1920s until today, a brief overview of our school’s history.

1923

 

Polam School is Founded

 

Polam School was founded in 1923 by Miss Crump in her home on Chaucer Road. It moved to the current site on Lansdowne Road after the end of the Second World War.

 

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1962

 

A New Owner

 

In 1962, it was acquired by Mr & Mrs Poole, who arrived with their four children and soon Polam became well-known for its special family atmosphere.

 

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2004

 

Joined Cognita Group

 

The School remained a family business, under the Headship of Mr Brown until 2004 when the school was sold. It was later acquired by the Cognita Schools group.

 

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2008

 

Merger with Acorn School – Polam Oaks

 

In 2008, Cognita purchased Acorn School which was a small family-owned nursery based in St Andrews Road. Acorns merged with Polam School, and for a while the school became known as Polam Oaks, before returning to its roots and re-embracing the name of Polam School in 2012.

 

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2013

 

90th Anniversary Celebrations

 

In 2013 Polam celebrated its 90th Anniversary with a week long programme of events and we are now looking forward to our centenary celebrations in 2023.

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TODAY

The School retains the small, family-home feel that has characterised it for 90 years and has a reputation for providing children with a caring, nurturing and happy start in life.

Our commitment revolves around empowering our children with diverse opportunities for their educational journey. Whilst many Polam students go on to take places at local Harpur Trust Schools in Bedford after their time with us, others take up places in nearby state schools after having given their children the strongest foundation to their education, by choosing Polam.

Polam School