We strive to create a positive, stimulating and happy learning environment through which all our children will achieve success and develop their potential, academically, socially, physically and emotionally.

Thank you for your interest. Please take time to browse through our website, which we hope will give you a glimpse of life at Polam School. We hope that this website will give you an outline of the school's organisation, a sense of the atmosphere and the aspirations and achievements of our pupils and staff.

If you are considering Polam School for your child, I hope you will feel encouraged to book a tour with me so that you can come and experience for yourself the friendly and purposeful learning environment.

We are an independent Pre-Preparatory School for children from 2 ½ - 9 years old. Boys and girls transfer mainly to the Harpur Trust Schools in Bedford at 7+, 8+ or 9+.

We believe strongly in providing a sound, traditionally based education whilst at the same time keeping pace with modern developments. Although academic success is very important, we are keen to provide a framework in which all kinds of talents are able to flourish. Music, Art, Sport and Drama are key features of our yearly calendar.

We believe that education is a partnership between home and school. Working together is essential in helping the children achieve their full potential. We will continue to foster a caring environment, where your child is encouraged to grow in confidence and gain the skills required for dealing with the many new challenges ahead.

If you would like a prospectus or to book a tour, please look at the contact page for details or call my secretary.

I look forward to welcoming you to Polam School.

Diana Parton
Headteacher

History

Polam School was founded in 1923 and, from an initial class of four children, has evolved into a thriving community of over 150.

The School moved to its present location in the 1950's, since when many improvements and additions have been made to the buildings and grounds.

Curriculum Policy

Polam School provides a rich learning environment for boys and girls. The curriculum prepares children for independent senior schools, with a broad and balanced curriculum from their first days in the nursery through to the age of 9 years.

We aim:

• To provide a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum.
• To provide appropriate learning opportunities to include all pupils/students.
• To promote partnership between pupil, parent/carer, teacher and community.
• To ensure continuity and progression within the school and between phases of education.
• To foster teaching styles which will offer and encourage a variety of relevant learning opportunities.
• To encourage a respect for the school and its environment so that learning is a positive and pleasurable experience for all.
• To deal with all curriculum related complaints made by parents/carers in line with agreed procedures.

We believe that the curriculum should aim:

• To help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds, an ability to question and argue rationally and an ability to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills.
• To help pupils acquire understanding, knowledge and key skills relevant to school, adult life and employment in a fast-changing world.
• To help pupils to use language and number effectively.
• To help pupils develop personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life.
• To help pupils understand the world in which they live and the inter-dependence of individuals, groups and nations.
• To help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.

The Nursery Department

Ages 2 ½ to 4 Years

The Nursery Department provides a happy and stimulating introduction to school life. Parents can choose from a variety of sessional schedules.

It is a fully integrated part of the school, giving children the opportunity to benefit from the extensive range of facilities and specialist teaching available.

The Nursery is very well resourced and our teachers and assistants make sure that each child receives maximum attention at all times.

Curriculum

The Nursery Curriculum encourages the development of the whole child. Emphasis is placed on enhancing basic pre-school skills at this formative age and children are encouraged to develop an enthusiasm for learning, knowledge and understanding in aspects of the following:

• Mathematics
• Language and literacy
• Emotional and social development
• Knowledge of the world
• Physical development
• Creativity

These sound foundations provide a platform for future development and ensure steady and sustained progress is made.

Reception & Year 1

Within a happy relaxed atmosphere, the children in Reception become used to a new approach to education. Emphasis is placed on acquiring basic numeracy and literacy skills. The children are taught mostly by their Class Teachers, with the help of teaching assistants.

Years 2-4

Children are placed, according to age, in teaching groups of approximately 18-20 children. Teaching assistants are shared between four classes. Class Teachers continue to teach the majority of subjects. Pupils also receive some specialist teaching in areas such as PE/Games, Music, Art, and IT. These important years consolidate Key Stage 1 work and preparation begins for Harpur Trust examinations which may be sat at 7+, 8+ or 9+.

Specialist Teaching

ADMISSIONS

Entry Procedure

Entry into the Nursery

Children joining Polam School in the Nursery take advantage of the crucially important early years where children learn and play in a safe, friendly and structured environment. Children can enter the Nursery at the beginning of the term in which he or she turns 3 years of age. Parents can choose from a variety of sessional schedules.

Entry into the Reception to Year 4

Besides our children moving up from the Nursery, entry into the Reception and Years 1-4 is according to the availability of places.

How to apply

• Simply complete the registration form or contact the School Secretary on 01234 261864.
• Entry to the school may require an assessment, and a report from your child's previous school.
• Completion of a registration form together with payment of a £50 registration fee will enable entry onto the School List.
• Receipt of the completed Acceptance Form together with a payment of £150 Entry Fee secures a place at Polam School.

Open Days

Our Open Days are a great opportunity for you to visit our school, meet the staff and pupils and ask any questions you may have.

Upcoming Open Days

• Open Morning - 19 November 2007

  10am start in the Sewell Hall

• Open Morning - 29 November 2007

  10am in the Sewell Hall

We look forward to seeing you there. Please contact the School Office if you would like to attend.

Fees

Fees per Term from September 2007

Session fees per Term - Full Time
Full Day	£1745
Lunch	£185
Total	£1930

Session fees per Term - Part Time
1 Morning per week	£211
1 Lunch per week	£37
1 Morning + lunch per week	£248
1 afternoon per week	£143
1 lunch per week	£37
1 afternoon + lunch per week	£180
12 full day + lunch per week	£391
1 morning	£21
1 lunch	£4
1 morning + lunch	£25
1 afternoon	£14
1 lunch	£4
1 afternoon + lunch	£18
1 full day + lunch	£39

Junior School fees per session will be pro rata.

School fees may be paid termly in advance, or by Direct Debit through Holmwoods Termtime Collections in twelve monthly instalments. Parents who already have the direct debit system in place need do nothing, however, if you wish to adopt this method for the first time, please apply to the School Office.

Polam Swim School

At Polam Swim School we run small manageable classes covering a wide range of courses.

Ante/Post Natal

A qualified midwife and swimming teacher offer an exercise, relaxation and informative session both as an ante and post natal swimmer.

Parent and Toddler - aged 16 weeks up to 3 years

Each child accompanied in the water by a responsible adult. The teacher is in the water with the class and there is a fully qualified assistant teacher on poolside. Babies must have had their immunisations in order to start the course.

Tadpoles

Children from the age of 3 years split into small classes with the teacher in the water. There is a qualified non teaching assistant on poolside. Children remain in the Tadpole group until they start FULL time school.

Young Teaching Groups

Children attending these sessions must be in FULL Time School and are aged 4 and 5. The pool is split into three classes according to ability.

Children's Groups

Children attending these session must be 5 and over. Lessons are run as per the Young Teaching Groups.

Squad

Squad is by invitation only. Children at the upper age range of the Children's groups (minimum 8 years) with a minimum of a Polam Swim School 200m are invited to join Squad sessions.

Adults

We offer lessons for adults of all ages and abilities. Whether it is to overcome fear of the water or to improve stroke technique.

Pool Parties

Children under the age of 3 must be supervised on a 1:1 basis. Maximum number : 20

Crash Courses

Organised during Easter and Summer Holidays. Booking made via an application form submitted through the School Office. During holiday courses ASA badges, Stroke development courses , personal survival, challenges and basic diving courses are offered. Other activities offered on request.

If you would like further information about any of the classes that we offer please contact the School Office on 01234 273195.

• provides a warm. supportive, environment where children develop a love of learning and develop lively and enquiring minds.
• encourages and supports equal and challenging opportunities for all.
• provides a positive and ordered environment where children develop self-esteem and become independent thinkers and decision makers.
• establishes good personal relationships between children, adults and all who come to the school, so that the school is a caring community.
• provides and develops an environment in which children behave in socially and morally acceptable ways.
• establishes an environment that is committed to the highest possible achievement.

• fostering co-operation, empathy, respect and the resolution of conflict through consensus and support.
• developing a sense of social responsibility (through tasks related to the general or class welfare by the way work is arranged and carried out in the classroom.)
• fostering consideration for other people, concern for the natural environment and living creatures.
• fostering respect for the school and care of materials (keeping classrooms tidy and taking care of classroom equipment).
• encouraging children to make informed choices, using initiative and taking responsibility for their own work and behaviour. helping the children to be aware of their own feelings and setting standards, as adults, of these social and moral attitudes.