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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

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.

Rank: Top 100

Top 100 2025, UK Prep Schools

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