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Reviewed

Dragon School

Independent school · Oxford, OX2 6SS
  • Primary/prep
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 4-13
  • From £18,180 pa
  • 805 pupils
  • Boarding
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Dragons are an irrepressible force. Generations of happy, inventive, confident children are formed by the school’s high academic teaching and dazzle of extracurricular options, and they continue to populate the classrooms and playing fields of the UK’s top schools. One OD told us, ‘This school opens doors…’ and dragons soar away!

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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
805 ·
Offers boarding
Yes ·
Religion
None
Fees
Day £18,180 - £32,100; Boarding £47,850 pa
Local authority
Oxfordshire County Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Head

Emma Goldsmith

Since 2021, Emma Goldsmith BA PGCE. Known as Ma Goldsmith, in the Dragon tradition. From a dynasty of four generations of teachers, and a degree in English from Manchester Uni, she caught the teaching bug on a gap year organising youth activities,

Entrance

Admission to the 48 reception places involves a waiting list and taster visit. The intake is funnel-shaped for increased numbers in the older years. Entry at year 3 requires assessment in maths and English and classes with peers. Boarders applying

Open days
September

Exit

‘You’ve got to find the right school for the right child,’ head of future schools told us sagely. School prepares for the ISEB pre-tests for over 30 destinations including Brighton College, Cheltenham, Harrow, Headington, Wellington College, Rugby

Latest results

There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.

Teaching & learning

16
Average class sizes

Learning support & SEN

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
18 %
Students with SEN support

Boarders

Boarding comes in various sizes: full, weekly or flexi, in junior or senior houses, most single-sex - and there’s a weekly bus service from Kensington. Boarding starts at 8+, and after first two years children move house each year. Boarding assist

275
Total boarders
153
Full time boarders
122
Flexi boarders

Pupils

805
Number of pupils

Money matters

So much green space doesn’t come cheap, with some trips and activities extra.

Fee information
Day £18,180 - £32,100; Boarding £47,850 pa

Our view

If not the largest prep school in the country, the Dragon School certainly boasts the largest reputation. Founded in 1877 by newly married Oxford dons wishing to educate their children in the leafy north Oxford Victorian suburb, the school still c

The last word

Dragons are an irrepressible force. Generations of happy, inventive, confident children are formed by the school’s high academic teaching and dazzle of extracurricular options, and they continue to populate the classrooms and playing fields of the

Inspection reports

Dragon School school badge

What the school says

Since 1877, Dragon School has cultivated kindness, courage, and respect in its young learners. Today, we’re 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. Our nurturing pre-prep is in vibrant Summertown, and our North Oxford prep boasts expansive playing fields rolling down to the banks of the River Cherwell. In our 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 our school community.

Our progressive outlook is built on a legacy of intellectual curiosity. The school was founded as the Oxford Preparatory School in the 19th century to educate the sons of Oxford University dons. The name was soon changed to Dragon School and it was run for many years by the Lynams, a family with progressive educational views. Today, the Dragon’s aims and ethos remains true to its founding tenets that school should be a place of inspiration, wonder and, above all, fun.

We’re proud of our history, but we refuse to stand still. The Dragon is proudly co-educational and inclusive, and our boarding and day pupils represent 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 our pupils’ energy and drive, and many move onto senior school with academic and specialist scholarships.

When you join the Dragon, you join a lifelong community. Our alumni have blazed so many trails across different walks of life, but they’re all hallmarked by the key Dragon values that we consistently talk about – kindness courage and respect.

Last updated 30 January 2025

Key links to information you need

Open days

Admissions

Prospectus

Contact the school

Address

Bardwell Road
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX2 6SS
Get directions

Telephone: 01865 315400

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.dragonschool.org

Local authority: Oxfordshire County Council

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Reviewed

Cothill

 Independent school · Abingdon, OX13 6JL ( miles)
  • Primary/prep
  • Co-ed
  • 7-13
  • From £26,592 pa
  • 150 pupils
  • Boarding
Read our review
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See all schools
School data & information Dragon School Bardwell Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6SS
805 Pupil numbers
275 Total boarders
153 Full time boarders
122 Flexi boarders
16 Average class sizes

We do not receive results data for this school. Find out more.

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

SEN overview

Dragon School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

The learning support department offers assistance and support to children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. The department works in close conjunction with subject and form teachers to ensure that support is provided when and where necessary, and within the context of the broader curriculum. The department is situated at the heart of the school with a central area and specially designed teaching rooms. All those who teach in the department have a qualification in teaching children with specific learning difficulties. Children are generally withdrawn for individual lessons once or twice a week but some group lessons also are provided. There are also speech and language therapists who support children with speech, language and social skills.

Updated Nov 2024
0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 3%
18 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 14%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs Yes
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing Yes
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
Our data explained
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