Here are the answers to questions often asked in parent questionnaires and at School Committee meetings. If you have a question or suggestion, please email cindy@unicornschool.org.uk

What are the children given at break time? 
There is a fruit platter and a home made snack available each day. A week’s menu of morning snacks range from cheese and crackers, courgette cake, cruidites, carrot cake and banana bread loaf.

What steps have been taken regarding playtime supervision?
We have a generous supervision ratio for playtime of two to three members of staff (according to whether it’s Junior or Infant playtime). 

How do you prepare the children for 11+?
Preparation for 11+ is extensive and comprehensive.  

Pupils in Violet and Ultra Violet benefit from specialist English teaching and some small group teaching for maths. This enables the teaching staff to fully understand areas within those subjects that may need extra support and to monitor progress.  This is then discussed with parents at parents’ evenings in Violet Class, in March and May. 

In the Autumn term of Ultra Violet, the children practise exam papers weekly, including in a mock exam setting held in the hall; they also receive interview practice. 

How will I know if my child is suitable for a scholarship?
We talk about scholarships in the general briefing given to Violet parents about senior schools in the spring term. We may recommend scholarships specifically to parents at the individual meeting in the summer term.

How do you help children who struggle in the earlier years?
There is a comprehensive programme of support for children of all ages. The younger children have the benefit of a teacher and an assistant and, where necessary, children from age six are given specialist support.

How do you extend the more able child?
Unicorn has various strategies for extending the more able and work is carefully differentiated to accommodate all abilities.  In the Juniors, we have an able readers’ group and extension work for able mathematicians.  

How can I get feedback about how my child is doing?
Unicorn teachers are always happy to answer any questions you may have and meet with parents at short notice. We would ask that you email them direct – staff emails are listed in the parent section of the website. Individual meetings with parents take place in October and February/March.  Specialist and subject teachers attend the spring term evening.  Additional parent meetings for children in Violet Class take place in May.  All parents, except Red and Orange Classes, receive two reports a year – a concise report at the end of the spring term and a more detailed one at the end of the academic year. 

What’s the best way to get in touch with teachers?
Teachers’ email addresses are available on the website.  You can also get phone numbers for peripatetic staff.  Both documents are in the parent section.

Can we have more male teachers? 
This is always a consideration when recruiting.  Our aim is to recruit high-calibre teachers and the best individual – male or female – for each appointment.

I’m interested in standing as a Governor – how can I find out more information?
You can find out more about what the role of a Governor involves by clicking on this link.   Alternatively, please contact Geoff Bayliss or Mark Byatt, Joint Chairs of Governors, via the school office.

What happens during Ultra Violet’s summer term?
Ultra Violet class has a comprehensive programme of post-exam activities which includes a week-long field study; much of their summer term work results from this.  They prepare for senior school life by, for example, learning study skills and a day on the tube and bus.  They also spend time preparing for one of the highlights of the Unicorn year: the summer production!

What are the plans for developing ICT?
Our teachers make extensive use of interactive whiteboards to support their teaching and the children’s learning.  All children have specialist ICT lessons and are invited to participate in ICT clubs. 

We have laptops and iPads available for use within both Infants and Juniors. This enables us to involve ICT across the broader school curriculum and provide in-class access to a range of applications and websites in line with current best practice and general curriculum guidelines.

What plans are there for offering bursaries?  
We have an established Bursary Scheme and have bursary funded children attending the school. For more details, please click here.

Unicorn School is so fantastic – can you open a secondary school?
This question is asked regularly! Secondary age children need bigger schools with specialist teaching throughout and preparation for public exams.  Unfortunately, Unicorn doesn’t have the resources for this type of approach.