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Dragon School

Bardwell Road,
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,OX2 6SS

+44 (0)1865 315 400

Since 1877, Dragon School has cultivated kindness, courage, and respect in its young learners. Today, it’s an extraordinary co-ed day and boarding school in Oxford for children aged 4-13.

In terms of location, the Dragon enjoys the best of both worlds. The nurturing Pre-Prep is in vibrant Summertown, and the North Oxford Prep boasts expansive playing fields rolling down to the banks of the River Cherwell. In classrooms, you’ll feel the energy, excitement and aspiration which define a Dragon education. And elsewhere around school – on the playing fields, in the boathouse, art studio, science labs or our homely boarding houses – you’ll get a sense of the strong relationships and the powerful ethos that binds the school community.

Welcome

It is important to harness the vitality, imagination and natural curiosity of young people to develop the mindset of ‘why not?’. If this culture of questioning is embedded at an early age it will encourage an enthusiasm to lead a lifetime of learning. Ardus ad solum ‘reach for the sun’ is the School’s motto and is as relevant today as it was when the school was founded. We want all of our children to become resilient and ambitious, ready to take on the challenges of being a global citizen of the 21st Century. The Dragon has a well-earned reputation of providing a community which will nurture these characteristics with the values of kindness, courage and respect underpinning all that we do.

Intellectual and philosophical challenge underpins an expansive academic curriculum, a wonderful programme of sport and an extraordinarily creative programme of music, drama and art. Weekends are now even more exciting thanks to the launch of Dragon QUEST – a Saturday morning enrichment programme. Pupils can choose from a wide variety of options including Film making, cultural outings in Oxford and Paddle boarding on the beautiful River Cherwell.

Boarding remains at the very heart of the school with a flexible range of boarding options starting from age 8. There are ten Junior and Senior boarding houses each run by dedicated Houseparents who create a real ‘home from home’ for the children. Boarders enjoy evening and weekend activities with their friends including external speaker events and a busy afternoon of sports fixtures on Saturdays. In addition to the exeat bus service, there is a new weekly Sunday evening Dragon bus service from London.

Our pupils win numerous scholarships and awards to leading senior schools and families benefit from the bespoke advice and guidance of the Future Schools department. Destination schools include Eton, Harrow, Cheltenham Ladies College, Headington, Dulwich College, Marlborough College, Radley, Rugby School, St Edward’s, Wellington College and Winchester.

Prospectus Request

Here is a short film ‘Introducing Emma Goldsmith’

Watch our Boarding Video

They are proud of their history but refuse to stand still. The Dragon is proudly co-educational and inclusive; the boarding and day pupils represent over thirty different nationalities. Diversity cultivates a dynamic, cosmopolitan environment where young learners can feel proud of their unique qualities. This strong sense of self feeds the pupils’ energy and drive, and many move onto senior school with academic and specialist scholarships.

Boarding is the beating heart of the Dragon. In the nine vibrant boarding homes, the focus is very simple: family, friends and having fun. If you arrange to visit the Dragon, make sure you speak to a young boarder for their view – we’re sure you’ll hear about all of the above – and more!

Boarding has moved on significantly in recent years. Gone are the days of cold corridors and the stiff upper lip. Boarding is an experience that endures in the most positive of ways. Former boarders regularly talk about the long-lasting friends, strong relationships with staff, and the powerful sense of independence they developed at the Dragon. The children talk about a home from home, and the parents talk about the warmth of the staff and the flexibility of the offering.

School Fees 2024/2025

Boarders	£13,700 per term
Day Pupils	£9,190 per term
Pre-Prep Year 3	£6,860 per term
Pre-Prep Year 1 and Year 2	£5,970 per term
Pre-Prep Reception	£5,210 per term

School Data

Gender	Mixed
Age	4-13, Boarding 8-13
Type	Boarding, Day School, Flexi-Boarding, Weekly Boarding,
Size	810 pupils
Head:	Emma Goldsmith

Open Days

Open Mornings are held throughout the year at both the Prep and Pre-Prep. Please contact the Admissions office at the button below or by telephone on 01865 315 405 to learn more and book your place.

Open Mornings

Bursaries

Dragon School offers a number of transformational bursaries each year. These are means-tested, fully funded places for talented children in Year 4 and above whose families would otherwise not be able to afford to send them to the Dragon.

Fee Assistance