The Unicorn School
The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, providing Primary, Secondary (GCSE) and Sixth Form education for approximately 140 pupils aged 7-19 with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and related Specific Learning Differences, delivered through daily one-to-one teaching and integrated therapeutic provision under the charitable entity The Unicorn Trust.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersAbingdon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Unicorn School does
The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school operating from a single campus at 20 Marcham Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, serving approximately 140 pupils aged 7-19 with Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and speech, language and communication needs, frequently co-occurring with autism or ADHD. The school is constituted as The Unicorn Trust, a registered charity (Charity Number 1070807, Company Number 03588494) controlled by a Board of Governors chaired by Andrew Strivens. The academic offering spans Primary, Secondary (with GCSEs), and Sixth Form, supported by a daily one-to-one teaching session for each pupil, plus integrated specialist modules covering Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Play Therapy, Study Skills, IT/assistive technology, Personal Development, and Mental Health (including ELSA and a therapy dog programme). Underpinning the pedagogy are multisensory teaching approaches and assistive technology such as iPad applications tailored for dyslexic and dyscalculic learners.
The school's revenue model is anchored in recurring tuition fees for full-time day enrolment, supplemented by an independently priced Assessment Centre offering comprehensive diagnostic assessments at £695 + VAT per case (open to non-enrolled families), wraparound care (breakfast club at £5.45 per session, after-school clubs at £9.80 per session or £98 per term), extra-curricular activities, and CPD/INSET training delivered to mainstream schools. Tuition fees themselves are not publicly disclosed on the website. Distribution is direct-to-consumer: families discover the school through the website, Instagram and Facebook channels, Open Mornings, pupil trial visits, and a heavy reliance on word-of-mouth referrals; some families commute over 60 miles daily. The school is also building a second facility on the same campus, the Ock Mill building, which will add science labs, food technology rooms, and art spaces, with construction completing in 2025 and funded in part through a dedicated capital appeal and corporate sponsorship programme. Outreach partnerships with the British Dyslexia Association, Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Research Trust, and accreditation with CReSTeD anchor the school's positioning within the UK SEN sector.
The Unicorn School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Unicorn School
- Legal name
- The Unicorn Trust
- Website
- https://unicornoxford.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, providing Primary, Secondary (GCSE) and Sixth Form education for approximately 140 pupils aged 7-19 with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and related Specific Learning Differences, delivered through daily one-to-one teaching and integrated therapeutic provision under the charitable entity The Unicorn Trust.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Unicorn School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA), Special Education Evaluation & Assessment (Psychoeducational, Speech/Language, OT/PT) (EDAJAKAA)
Keywords
Where The Unicorn School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abingdon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Unicorn School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- School Tuition Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees for primary and secondary education services. Fees page exists but specific amounts not disclosed in source material.
- Assessment Services: Independent diagnostic assessment services for children with suspected dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia. Includes pre-assessment consultation, comprehensive diagnostic assessment, written report, and feedback consultation.
- Wrap-around Care Services: Breakfast club (£5.45 per session) and after-school clubs (£98 per term or £9.80 per session) provide supplemental revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Comprehensive Assessment Package |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Breakfast Club |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | After School Clubs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Unicorn School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school providing primary, secondary, and sixth form education for children aged 7–19 with Specific Learning Differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and speech and language disorders. Core delivery includes daily one-to-one specialist teaching, GCSE preparation, integrated therapeutic provision (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy), and mental health support. The school additionally operates an independent Assessment Centre offering paid diagnostic assessments and provides Outreach CPD/INSET training to mainstream schools.
Product overview
The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school providing a unified educational offering for children aged 7-19 with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Speech, Language and Communication Needs. The core educational programs span Primary Education, Secondary Education (with GCSE preparation), and Sixth Form, supported by integrated specialist services. The school offers a comprehensive range of therapeutic and support modules including One-to-One Teaching, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Play Therapy, Personal Development Programme, Study Skills, IT, and Mental Health Support. Additional wraparound services include Breakfast Club, After School Clubs, and Extra Curricular Activities. The school also operates an Assessment Centre offering independent diagnostic assessments for families, and provides Outreach services for mainstream schools and parents through CPD training and workshops.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Primary Education Specialist primary education program for children aged 7–11 with Specific Learning Differences, providing tailored teaching approaches for dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and related difficulties.
- Secondary Education Secondary education program for students aged 11–16 including GCSE preparation, with specialist academic support for pupils with Specific Learning Differences.
- Sixth Form Post-GCSE education program for students aged 16–19, providing continued specialist support for those with Specific Learning Differences preparing for further education or careers.
- Assessment Centre Independent diagnostic assessment service providing comprehensive evaluations for Specific Learning Differences including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia, offered at £695 + VAT per assessment including pre-assessment consultation, parent support session, diagnostic assessment, written report, and post-assessment feedback consultation.
- Outreach for Schools CPD and INSET training services provided to mainstream schools, covering SpLD specialist teaching, assistive technology, multisensory science teaching, and study skills support.
- Outreach for Parents Parent support services including coffee mornings, workshops on curriculum overview, revision strategies, post-16 applications, and online safety.
- Breakfast Club Morning wraparound care from 8am offering continental breakfast at £5.45 per session, supporting parents who need early drop-off; parents commit to at least a term with ad hoc days sometimes available.
- After School Clubs After-school activities and prep club running from 3:45pm to 5pm at £98 per term or £9.80 per session, offering various clubs that vary term by term.
Companies that use The Unicorn School
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Unicorn School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Unicorn School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record.
- Local Primary and Secondary SchoolsThe Unicorn School provides CPD and INSET training opportunities to local mainstream schools, including presentations to teachers, teaching assistants, and parents about supporting students with SpLD. Topics include SpLD specialist teaching, assistive technology, multisensory science teaching, study skills, and speech/language support.
- British Dyslexia AssociationListed as a helpful resource partner on the school's outreach resources page for parents seeking additional information about dyslexia.
- Oxfordshire Dyslexia AssociationLocal affiliate of the British Dyslexia Association offering advice and support for parents and teachers, referenced as a resource for families.
- Dyslexia Research TrustA charity supporting research into dyslexia and helping children with visually impaired dyslexic problems, referenced as a resource for families.
- CReSTeD (Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils)Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils - a UK organization that registers schools providing education for dyslexic pupils.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
The Unicorn School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Beechwood College: UK residential and day college for young adults with a wider range of special educational needs including SpLD. Broader SEN incumbent that overlaps at the secondary/post-16 end of The Unicorn's market.
Direct peers
- Mulberry House School: Specialist independent day school near Farnham, Surrey, for children with specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ASD. Comparable in its dedicated SpLD focus and integrated therapeutic support model.
- The Lab School of Washington: US independent school for students with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, and other LDs, integrating academics with therapies and arts. Comparable mission and integrated-therapy approach, differing mainly by geography.
- Fairley House School: Independent day school in Lambeth, London for pupils aged 7-18 with Specific Learning Differences including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. Closest UK peer given virtually identical SpLD-only mission, day-school format, and CReSTeD registration context.
- The Churchill School and Center: New York independent school serving K-12 students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Comparable as a specialist K-12 day school built around literacy-based LD support.
- Centre Academy London: Independent London day school for children with Specific Learning Difficulties, primarily dyslexia and dyscalculia, offering small-class specialist teaching and integrated therapy. Comparable to The Unicorn School in SpLD-only positioning and small-cohort specialist delivery.
- Moon Hall School: Independent specialist school for dyslexic pupils in Surrey, offering primary and secondary education with specialist teaching methods. Direct UK peer around the dyslexia-specific day school niche in the south of England.
Emerging players
- Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre: UK charity offering dyslexia assessments, training for teachers, and parent support rather than running a full school. Overlaps with The Unicorn's Assessment Centre and outreach-for-schools CPD revenue lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Unicorn School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Unicorn School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Unicorn School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Unicorn School subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
The Unicorn School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Unicorn School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Unicorn School
What does The Unicorn School do?
The Unicorn School is an independent specialist day school providing primary, secondary, and sixth form education for children aged 7–19 with Specific Learning Differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and speech and language disorders. Core delivery includes daily one-to-one specialist teaching, GCSE preparation, integrated therapeutic provision (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy), and mental health support. The school additionally operates an independent Assessment Centre offering paid diagnostic assessments and provides Outreach CPD/INSET training to mainstream schools.
Is The Unicorn School a public or private company?
The Unicorn School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Unicorn School founded?
The Unicorn School was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Unicorn School based?
The Unicorn School is headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Unicorn School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. School Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are assessment Services and wrap-around Care Services.
Who are The Unicorn School's main competitors?
Beechwood College is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Mulberry House School, The Lab School of Washington, Fairley House School, The Churchill School and Center, Centre Academy London and Moon Hall School. Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Unicorn School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Unicorn School.
What industry is The Unicorn School in?
The Unicorn School's product category is Special Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAB, Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools. Its NAICS code is 61111 and its SIC code is 8200.