We are parent-owned, founded by a group of parents and teachers in 1970 who was inspired to create a school that would educate children while simultaneously encouraging them to flourish creatively and enjoy the process of learning. We hope you enjoy looking through our website which captures the spirit of Unicorn.
Unicorn is a co-educational, independent prep school situated opposite Kew Botanical Gardens. We provide a friendly, creative, and stimulating learning environment for boys and girls between the ages of three and eleven. Class sizes are small, with a one-form entry of usually no more than 22 in each year. Uniquely, we are a parent-owned school and have several second-generation Unicorns as pupils.
Please register your child soon after birth and then arrange to visit the school. We give priority to siblings and the children of past Unicorns. Other places are offered to children on the waiting list at the discretion of the Headmaster. Teaching methods are thoughtfully planned to encourage, accelerate and support each child’s abilities. The school’s approach helps the less able, as well as the more talented, through small separate groups in reading and maths. We cover all areas of the National Curriculum and more besides so that every child can find areas of personal strength.
Our broad curriculum includes computing, science, music, creative arts, French, and PE, all taught by specialist teachers and often in small groups. All classes have a specific time each day for reflection and to develop their thinking skills. In the Junior Classes, Blue and Indigo have ‘Brain Time’ and Violet and Ultra Violet also enjoy philosophy lessons.
Unicorn School covers more than the National Curriculum so that every child can find areas of personal strength. We encourage children to learn through active, enjoyable discovery. We’ve held some wonderful drama productions and concerts. Visit the school at any time and you will see fantastic art from every class. All children have music lessons and can take private lessons in ten or so different instruments.
Unicorn School has established and maintains close links with many well-known day and boarding schools. Alternate spring terms, we hold a ‘Future Schools Evening’ to which Heads from a range of schools are invited to talk to parents. Leavers are thoroughly prepared and gain entry to schools to which they are well suited. We are very proud of the scholarships achieved. Former Unicorn children, parents, and teachers maintain close contact with the school. Some past pupils even return as parents, thereby helping to perpetuate the original ethos and we even now have second-generation Unicorns.
Unicorn School is a parent-owned, co-educational, independent prep school, founded in Kew, Richmond, by a group of parents and teachers in 1970. It occupies a large Victorian house and redeveloped coach house, overlooking Kew Gardens, with well-equipped, bright, and airy classrooms. Class names are based on colors of the rainbow (Red for our nursery, through to Ultra Violet Class being Year 6). Unicorn School is recognized by the Department for Education. As an IAPS school, it is inspected regularly and accredited by the Independent Schools Council.
We are always grateful for help on class outings and Infant classes appreciate help with reading, cooking, and computing. Parents assist Junior classes with reading and helping to run some of the Thursday clubs or providing transport.
Parents are welcome to attend assemblies, especially if their child is taking part in their class assembly. Prize-giving and final assembly are held at the end of each term. During Harvest Festival assembly, each child is asked to bring in non-perishable food items which our School Committee then distributes to charity. At Christmas, Infants put on a Christmas show and Juniors hold a carol concert at the Barn Church. In spring, we have the Unicorn Arts Week and an assembly with a particular theme. The grand finale is the year-end production by Ultra Violet Class (Year 6), in which parents provide invaluable help with costumes, scenery, and staging.
Parent meetings are held at the start of the autumn term to meet the class teacher and assistant. A copy of the timetable is provided and what to expect during the year ahead is explained eg homework days/matches/music lessons.Parent/teacher interviews are held in the autumn and spring terms. In the spring term, you can book to meet with all the teachers your child sees, eg games, French, special needs, etc. Individual parent meetings for Violet Class, to discuss senior schools, are held in the summer term.
Each class has at least three reps. Part of their job is to sit on the School Committee, which meets once a term. Being a rep is a great opportunity to get to know other people and how the school operates. Reps assist at school events, eg. Harvest Festival, Christmas and summer fairs, help organize fund-raising events and plan social ones. As a parent-owned school, the Governing Body consists of elected representatives of the parents and certain non-parental individuals (usually, but not exclusively, having educational experience) who are invited by the other Governors to stand for election.
