Independent school Polam Hall is to expand its intake of juniors amid demand caused by strong inspection 
performances and the planned closure of a nearby school.
The Darlington-based day and boarding school is also set to begin a period of investment and the upgrading of its facilities.
Among the proposed developments at the school will be the creation of a technology lab and dance studio and the refurbishment of its food technology lab and changing rooms to improve what is already one of the region’s most highly rated schools.
From next academic year, the school will also increase the number of Year One classes at its junior school from one to two.
The expansion comes in response to an increase in demand for places at the school following an Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report last year, which rated the school as 'excellent' in a number of important fields.
Growing demand among parents hoping to send their children to Polam Hall has also been fuelled by the impending closure of Yarm at Raventhorpe, the only other independent school in Darlington.
Headmaster, John Moreland was saddened to hear of the proposed closure of the highly regarded school but went on to say: “Polam Hall has been based in Darlington for nearly 160 years and will be the town’s only independent school from September. We are proud of the excellent all round educational provision we deliver.
These are exciting times ahead for Polam Hall but we can't afford to rest on our laurels. At Polam we are constantly looking at ways in which we can build for the future. These improvements should help us ensure that we are able to continue offering the same high standards of education and pupil welfare for many more years to come.”
Sally Pelham, the chair of governors, added: “I am delighted by the expansion of Year One and with our refurbishment plans. As a school, we are very proud of our high academic standards as well as the range of extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities we offer our pupils."
“The planned improvements to our facilities will enable us to maintain these standards and meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
In December the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) published a report, which positively endorsed all Polam Hall School.
The ISI said pupils “reach excellent standards in a wide range of undertakings”, in and out of the classroom, while pupils develop “high levels of self-confidence and willingly take on positions of responsibility”.
Pastoral care throughout the school was also rated as excellent, as was the behaviour of pupils which ISI said left parents feeling that their child is happy, safe and looked after well.
The school’s work in the creative curriculum was also branded “excellent” in the report while art work was highlighted as being an “outstanding” subject for the school, earning recognition in local and national exhibitions.
The report also described pupils’ attitudes to learning as “excellent” and their co-operation with each other as “outstanding”.
Among the considerable amount of other areas that received praise were the school’s extra-curricular activities, the quality of the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and the fact that the school is extremely effective in promoting good behaviour and guarding against harassment and bullying.
Polam Hall has been based at its site in Darlington since 1854 and prides itself on maintaining its traditional values and rich heritage while being able to offer pupils the strongest possible skills for the future.
Polam Hall School caters for children aged between three and 18 and attracts students from all over the world.
To find out more about the school visit: www.polamhall.com.