Unicorn School (Richmond), Richmond. | The Good Schools Guide

Unicorn School (Richmond)
238 Kew Road
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3JX
Head: Mr Kit Thompson
T 020 8948 3926
E [email protected]
W www.unicornschool.org.uk/
An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 11.
Boarding: No
Local authority: Richmond-Upon-Thames
Pupils: 172
Religion: Non-denominational
Fees: £7,170 - £13,170 pa
Open days: Tuesdays (09:00) and Wednesdays (09:00). Please telephone for appointment.
Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
ISI report: View the ISI report

What The Good Schools Guide says..

Originally considered bohemian, not so now, the school has retained its special ethos - as current Old Unicorn parents we spoke to emphasised - of providing a child-centred education. ‘A wonderful place to learn, creative and allowing for children’s individuality’. We admired a year 5 collage inspired by Holbein’s Two French Ambassadors, part of their work on the Tudors. Witty and carefully executed, the left-hand figure sported the photographed head of Mr Thompson, and the right that of his deputy. Observant pupils had accurately reproduced the entrance hall’s Victorian tiles, as well as the head’s brown shoes and deputy’s striking trainers...

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What the school says...

Established in 1970, Unicorn is a parent-founded school with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Our broad curriculum covers the usual range of academic, sporting and aesthetic subjects together with philosophy and thinking skills. Our last inspection report (March 2016) awarded Unicorn 'excellent' in all areas. They commented that 'The quality of pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent, including in the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Key factors which support their high achievement are an excellent curriculum which combines a focus on literacy and numeracy with expressive and creative subjects, excellent teaching and the positive behaviour of the pupils.' They also commented that 'Pupils are respectful, caring, polite and well behaved, which contributed strongly to their excellent overall achievement.' ...Read more

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What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2013, Kit Thompson BA (Oxford Brookes), PGCE (Roehampton) (late 40s), previously deputy head (academic) of Twyford in Hampshire where his wife teaches part-time. Initially a banker, he chose teaching early in his marriage becoming an NQT at the Unicorn, staying three years with English specialism. ‘What attracted me back to the Unicorn was the school’s distinctive ethos, a parent-owned family school and broad curriculum with its emphasis on creativity, laughter and learning.’

Commuting from Winchester, with a family Wimbledon bolthole when necessary, he enjoys the balance in his life. Three teenage daughters keep him busy and he relaxes by playing tennis, golf, or taking long walks with the family labrador. Holidays in Cornwall rather than exotic destinations and he has been known to accompany the biennial school ski trip....

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Special Education Needs

The Unicorn School aims to provide an education in which the different educational needs of each child are understood and met by every member of staff. The school also aims to ensure that all children have full access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum. Children who need extra support may be offered one-to-one, or small group, tuition for literacy or numeracy. The school has part-time, trained staff for this purpose. 10-09

Condition	Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia	Y
Dysgraphia	Y
Dyslexia	Y
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty	Y
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty	Y
VI - Visual Impairment

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