Unicorn School (Richmond) A GSG School
- 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...
What the school says...
Established in 1970, Unicorn is a parent-owned 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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Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibstock Place School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| Kew House School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| Kingston Grammar School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| St James Senior Boys' School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| The Harrodian School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| Charterhouse | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Churchmead Church of England (VA) School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Downe House School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| King's House School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| LVS Ascot (Licensed Victuallers' School) | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Latymer Upper School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Orleans Park School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Roedean School | 2019 | 1 | 2 | Academic Scholarship; Art Scholarship |
| St Catherine's School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| St Paul's Girls' School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| The Grey Coat Hospital | 2019 | 1 |
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