Polam School
Polam School is an independent school in Bedford for pupils aged 1 to 9. It has 99 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Polam School is Good, from an inspection in December 2009.
Ofsted inspection: December 2009.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent school |
| Age Range | 1-9 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | 45 Lansdowne Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 2BU |
| Reference Number | 109720 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 99 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.51%
Girls: 49.49% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Polam Oaks with Little Acorns Nursery has demonstrated good overall performance in the quality of education and the welfare of its students. Since its merger with Acorn School and Nursery, the school has maintained high standards of care and education while upholding its good reputation. The drive towards improvement is evident, with a strong emphasis on personal and social development, and pupils display enthusiasm for learning. Nevertheless, the school faces challenges in ensuring that higher-attaining pupils are sufficiently challenged and that the provision for children with additional language needs is better coordinated.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 13 Oct 2009 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 13 Oct 2009 | Standard inspection: |
Strengths
- Strong focus on personal and social development
- Good quality of education with a broad curriculum
- Strong relationships between staff and pupils
- Good provision for welfare, health, and safety
- Good progress in Early Years Foundation Stage
- Effective support for pupils with learning difficulties
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent challenge for higher-attaining pupils
- Insufficient planning and expectations for older children's activities
- Limited outdoor learning opportunities in the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Nutritious meal options need improvement
In 2025–26, 3.0% of pupils at Polam School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 1.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).
Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
| Name | Distance |
|
Livingstone Primary School
Clapham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7LG |
0.2 miles |
|
Priory Primary School
Greyfriars, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1JD |
0.21 miles |
|
Edith Cavell Primary School
Manton Lane, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7NH |
0.49 miles |
|
Great Ouse Primary Academy
Seaforth Gardens, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4TJ |
0.64 miles |
|
Queen's Park Academy
Chestnut Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4HA |
0.67 miles |
|
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School
Biddenham Turn, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4AT |
0.72 miles |
|
Westfield Primary School
Chester Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4HW |
0.79 miles |
|
Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School
Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7QZ |
0.96 miles |
|
Peter Pan Nursery School
Edward Road, Bedford, MK42 9DR |
1 miles |
|
Cauldwell School
Edward Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9DR |
1.02 miles |
|
Scott Primary School & Nursery
Hawk Drive, Brickhill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7JA |
1.23 miles |
|
Cherry Trees Nursery School
Hawkins Road, Bedford, MK42 9LS |
1.27 miles |
|
St John Rigby Catholic Primary School
Polhill Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9DQ |
1.27 miles |
|
Shackleton Primary School
Pearcey Road, Shackleton Primary School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9LZ |
1.3 miles |
|
St James' CofE Academy
Main Road, Biddenham, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4BD |
1.31 miles |
|
Brickhill Primary School
Dove Road, Brickhill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7AA |
1.37 miles |
|
Great Denham Primary School
Greenkeepers Road, Great Denham, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4GG |
1.42 miles |
|
Hazeldene School
Stancliffe Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9AT |
1.47 miles |
|
The Hills Academy
Stancliffe Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9AT |
1.5 miles |
|
Ursula Taylor Church of England School
High Street, Clapham, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 6EG |
1.5 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Bedford Modern School
Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7NT |
0.54 miles |
|
Bedford School
De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU |
0.57 miles |
|
Bedford College
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AH |
0.64 miles |
|
Bedford Free School
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AD |
0.71 miles |
|
Bedford Girls' School
Cardington Road, Bedford, MK42 0BX |
0.87 miles |
|
Biddenham International School and Sports College
Biddenham Turn, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4AZ |
0.89 miles |
|
Bedford Greenacre Independent School
Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7FZ |
0.97 miles |
|
Castle Newnham School
Goldington Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 3EP |
0.98 miles |
|
St John's School
Austin Canons, Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8AA |
1.01 miles |
|
Goldington Academy
Haylands Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9BX |
1.42 miles |
|
Grange Academy
Halsey Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8AU |
1.45 miles |
|
St Thomas More Catholic School
Tyne Crescent, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7UL |
1.57 miles |
|
KWS School
51 Brunel Road, Bedford, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9TJ |
1.73 miles |
|
Rivertree Free School
Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8QP |
1.75 miles |
|
Bedford Academy
Mile Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9TR |
1.83 miles |
|
Daubeney Academy
Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7PS |
1.88 miles |
|
Mark Rutherford School
Wentworth Drive, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 8PX |
2.21 miles |
|
Kempston Academy
Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EB |
2.52 miles |
|
Ridgeway School
Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EB |
2.6 miles |
|
Lincroft Academy
Station Road, Oakley, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 7RE |
2.69 miles |
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What is Polam School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Polam School is Good, from an inspection in December 2009.
When was Polam School last inspected by Ofsted?
Polam School was last inspected in December 2009.
How many pupils does Polam School have?
Polam School has 99 pupils on roll.
What age range does Polam School cover?
Polam School for pupils aged 1 to 9.
Where is Polam School?
Polam School is at 45 Lansdowne Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2BU.