DirectoryRichmond upon ThamesAll ThroughThe Unicorn School
All Through school

The Unicorn School

Co-ed independent prep school for children aged 3 - 11 offering a broad and creative education with a focus on academic excellence and individual strengths.

Richmond upon ThamesAll ThroughCo EdAges 3–11Day136 pupils
Day fees
£9,720 – £20,124
How competitive entry is
Non Selective + ObservationCompetitive entry
Pupils
136
Founded
1970
Next deadline
Open day: TBC
Updated 3 months agosource
Houseroom Index 2026

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Our take

Independent co-ed prep school in Richmond upon Thames for ages 3–11. Non-selective intake.

Best for
Who thrives here
  • Families looking for a prep school covering ages 3–11.
  • Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
  • Families who would rather not put their child through a selective entrance assessment.
Watch-outs
Know before applying
  • SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
AI-generated guidance

Application timeline

No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
Not published
Registration opensNot published
Not published
Registration closesNot published
Not published
Bursary deadlineNot published
Not published
AssessmentNot published
Not published
InterviewNot published
Not published
OffersNot published
Not published
Acceptance deadlineNot published
Not published

Open events

Dates to be confirmed
Teddy Bears’ Picnic2024-06-11T09:30:00
Dates TBC
Event2026-05-15T09:30:00
Dates TBC

Fees

£19,884per year · Day · 2026-27
VAT-inclusive estimate £19,884VAT status TBC7-year projection £159,550
vs London avg (£24,000)17% below
By entry point · 2026-27
NurseryTBC
ReceptionTBC

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
1
medium confidence data
Scholarships by category & award sizeView full bursary & scholarship guide

About the head

Unicorn School cultivates confidence, resilience, adaptability, and the lasting virtues of kindness and compassion, encouraging independent and creative thinking without fear of mistakes.
kindnessconfidenceresilienceadaptabilitycreativitycompassionindependent thinking

Distinctive features

Located opposite Kew Gardens

Small class sizes with specialist teachers

Nurturing environment with emphasis on pastoral care

State-of-the-art classrooms including sound-proofed music pods

Broad curriculum with extensive extra-curricular activities

Activities & co-curricular

sport

Running ClubSquadUnicorn Swim ClubKarate ClubBoxercise Sessions

music

Wind & Brass OrchestraViolin ClubJitterbugs (Pre-school music class)Rock BandM:Tech Club (Music Technology)Music Theory ClubTutti FlutiString OrchestraUnicorn SingersLittle Voices

drama

Musical Theatre

academic club

Debating ClubLa Jolie Ronde (French Club)Touch Typing Club

service

Eco Warriors Club

other

Sew What? InfantsSew What? JuniorsLego ClubVirtual Reality ClubWellbeing Wednesdays (Drop-in sessions)Junior Clubs (Art, Board Games, Chess, Computer, Cookery, Dance, Design & Technology, Golf, Padel Tennis, Pottery, Riding, Sailing)Breakfast club

Facilities

sports

Pools on the Park (off-site)

wellbeing

On-site KitchenOutdoor Space

Recent coverage

The Unicorn School has introduced a new full-day Nursery option starting September 2023, available Monday to Thursday with a half day on Friday, enhancing flexibility for families. The school continues to emphasize metacognition and sustainability, recently launching a Biodiversity Challenge with its Eco Warriors Club. Additionally, a Teddy Bears Picnic event is scheduled for June 11, 2024, aimed at families considering Nursery or Reception places for September 2026.

Recommended next step

Open-day dates not yet published

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Fit for your child

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House system

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Wellbeing

wellbeing of the children is our utmost priority. We provide a warm and nurturing environment along with the excellent relationships between children and staff which means that no child has any doubt the staff here will lend a safe and sympathetic ear whenever they may need it. Find out more ### Outdoor space to explore Sport

Inspection

Isi 27 Jun 2025

3 inspection reports on file.

  • Isi · Routine Inspection18 Mar 2025Standards met
  • Isi · Educational Quality And Focused Compliance Inspection27 Jun 2023Meets expectations
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2026-27

autumnNot yet publishedNot yet publishedHalf-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
springNot yet publishedNot yet publishedHalf-term 15 Feb 2027–23 Feb 2027

Policies & documents

Schools like The Unicorn School

Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

70%

The Merlin School

Wandsworth · Pre Prep · Ages 3–8
£18,105 – £19,281
65%

Westminster Under School

Westminster · Prep · Ages 3–13
£15,000 – £33,339
64%

Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep School

Richmond upon Thames · Pre Prep · Ages 3–11
£8,325 – £49,032
63%

Newland House School

Richmond upon Thames · Prep · Ages 3–13
£9,078 – £20,724
63%

Kensington Prep School

Hammersmith and Fulham · Pre Prep · Ages 3–11
£15,000 – £27,549
63%

Buckingham Preparatory School

Harrow · Prep · Ages 2–11
£10,155 – £16,215

Questions parents ask

Common questions about The Unicorn School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

What kind of child is The Unicorn School best for?+

The Unicorn School suits: Families looking for a prep school covering ages 3–11; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Families who would rather not put their child through a selective entrance assessment.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions are non-selective. Registration windows and required forms vary by entry point — check the admissions timeline above.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees section on this page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has identified needs, contact admissions early to discuss capacity.

Are there open days?+

1 upcoming open day or tour — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

email at registrar@unicornschool.org.uk or phone on 02089483926. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

What similar schools should I compare?+

We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to The Unicorn School — see the "Schools like The Unicorn School" grid on this page. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

Enrichment last updated 14 May 2026. Sources include the school’s official site, Wikipedia, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Sunday Times Parent Power.

Reviews

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Data
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Frequently asked questions

How much are the fees at The Unicorn School?
Day fees at The Unicorn School range from £9,720 to £20,124 per year.
What ages does The Unicorn School take?
The Unicorn School takes pupils from age 3 to 11.
Is The Unicorn School a day or boarding school?
The Unicorn School is a day school.
Is The Unicorn School co-educational or single-sex?
The Unicorn School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is The Unicorn School?
The Unicorn School is in Richmond upon Thames, TW9 3JX.

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