We encourage parent support and involvement. We keep parents regularly informed formally and informally, through written reports, parents’ evenings, chats at the end of the school day and notes.
With children
We’re always grateful for help on class outings. Infant classes appreciate assistance with reading, cooking and computer. Groups of approximately six children are allocated to parents who help with cookery – parents often choose to do this in twos. Lists are posted outside classrooms for parents to sign up to help with various activities.
Parents assist Junior classes with reading and helping to run some of the Thursday clubs or providing transport. New ideas are always welcome - please see Mrs Impey.
Class projects are listed in the newsletter at the beginning of term. Children are encouraged to bring in anything relevant to their term’s project, and parents and friends are welcome to come and talk to the children about the subject. Please see the class teacher to arrange this.
Parents are welcome at any assembly, especially if their child is taking part. Each class holds an assembly once a year. Prize-giving and final assembly are at the end of each term, with prizes given out for all sorts of things.
At Harvest Festival assembly, in the autumn term, each child is asked to bring in non-perishable food items in a small box that they can carry. The School Committee then distributes the goods to charity. At Christmas, Infants put on a play 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. An open evening is held each year with various displays and performances. The grand finale is the end of year production by Ultra Violet Class: parents provide invaluable help with costumes, scenery and staging.
With teachers
Parent meetings are held at the start of the autumn term to meet the class teacher and assistant. You receive the timetable and find out what to expect during the year, e.g. homework days/matches/music lessons.
Parent/teacher interviews are held in the autumn and spring terms. The newsletter announces when the appointment forms (which fill up very quickly) go up outside school – usually two weeks before. In the spring term, you can book to meet with the other teachers your child sees, e.g. games, French, special needs etc. Individual parent meetings for Violet Class, to discuss senior schools, are in the summer term. Appointments to see Mrs Linehan should be made through Mrs Impey.
Annual reports are sent by post after the end of the summer term.
With other parents
Each class has at least three class reps. Part of their job is to sit on the School Committee which meets once a term. Click here for the minutes
Being a rep entails more responsibility than at many schools, but is a great opportunity to get to know other people and how the school operates. Reps assist at school events, e.g. Harvest Festival, Christmas and summer fairs, help organise fund-raising events and plan social events.
A coffee morning for new parents is held at the start of the autumn term, with a tour and a current parent’s commentary on the school. Each new family is allocated an existing Unicorn family from the reps as their ‘buddy’ to help them settle into the school quickly.
With the school
As a parent-owned school (which is unusual) the Governing Body of Unicorn School 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.
Fun stuff
In the autumn term, Junior boys get the chance to tackle their dads in the highly competitive football match on Kew Green. Girls also get the chance to show up their mums in the netball match against them. Families can re-unite in the child and parent tennis tournament in the summer term!