School Name
Dragon School
Category
UK Prep Schools
Types
Prep school
Pupil type
Co-ed
Boarding-Day
Day
Boarding
Curriculums
UK Curriculum
Pupil age range
4-13
Location
Oxford
Dragon School
Focus
Exploring and developing talent
Day fees 2024/25
$22,600–$39,900 (incl. VAT)
Boarding fees 2024/2025
$59,400 (incl. VAT)
Pupils
807
Ages
4–13
Spear’s Review
Dragon School emphasises curiosity and free thinking, encouraging its pupils to ‘reach for the sun’. Academic results reflect this ambition, with pupils going on to schools including Eton and Rugby.
Established in the 19th century to educate the children of academics, the Oxford prep has always been progressive, founded on the belief that school should be ‘a place of inspiration, wonder and, above all, fun’. Boarding is available from Year 4 and ranges from full to ‘occasional’, with day pupils taking rooms in one of the houses as required.
Eminent Dragons include Tim Henman, writer Alain de Botton and Emma Watson.
Senior school destinations
Dragons move on to a variety of UK senior schools nationwide, including Wellington, Rugby, St Edwards and Oundle.
Head teacher
Emma Goldsmith attended the University of Manchester and was head of Winchester House School for almost seven years before joining Dragon School in 2021. She has extensive experience at other schools including Bloxham and Rugby, and is on the board of governors at Gordonstoun.
Admissions
According to the school, the usual points of entry to pre-prep are reception and Year 3. The key entry points for day and boarding pupils in the prep school are Year 4 and Year 5. Some children also join in Year 6 or Year 7 as they prepare for boarding at senior school.
Accessibility
Heathrow Airport: 1 hour
Location
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Rank: Top 100

Top 100 2025, UK Prep Schools