Unicorn is an IAPS, parent owned school, founded in 1970. Much class teaching is project based; many of the staff are Froebel trained. Children are prepared for entry at 11+ to the London Day Schools and a wide variety of Boarding Schools.
The School is situated opposite Kew Gardens. There is a well-equipped playground on site and all older children play football or netball (winter terms) and cricket or rounders (summer term) at Old Deer park. All children have gym in school and swim all year round at Richmond Baths.
There are IBM PC's in all classes and touch typing is taught to children in Year 4. All children are taken for Technology in small groups.
Weekly Clubs for Juniors include Riding, Squash, Badminton, Tennis, Pottery, Sewing, Cookery, Photography, Computers, Unihoc, Woodwork and Chess. Study Club, held after school every day until 5.00 pm, offers supervised homework sessions followed by indoor and outdoor games.
The curriculum is broad and includes Music, Drama, French and Art taught by specialist teachers. French is taught from the age of 5 upwards. Individual music lessons in Piano, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Flute and Trumpet are offered, while all children have the opportunity to join Recorder Groups, Choirs, Chamber Groups, Orchestra or Band.
Many outings connected with Class Projects are arranged each term and there are regular visits to Opera, Ballet and Theatre productions. Each year all Juniors spend time away on residential Field Study trips.
An elected School Council with representatives from each age group meets weekly and a regular newsletter for parents is produced by the children.
Unicorn aims to educate children fully, encouraging them to learn through active, enjoyable discovery. Both formal and informal teaching methods are used and a wide variety of specific learning schemes are employed. Small classes of about twenty children, often with two teachers, ensure each child has individual attention and that high academic standards are achieved.
A happy, caring environment prevails and importance is placed upon producing kind, responsible children who show awareness and consideration for the needs of others.
