Private school Dragon School

Dragon Prep

Dragon Prep School is one of the most famous boarding schools in the UK, located in Oxford. Its roots lie in the progressive educational theory of the late nineteenth century. The school was founded in 1877 by a group of graduates from Oxford University for their children.

For many years, Dragon school has reflected a non-traditional approach to education, based on the belief that children should enjoy the school and understand the world around them.

Children's needs are at the core of the school's philosophy. The joy of learning and the joy of research permeate the spirit of the school community.

The school has about 800 students.

DIRECTOR (stand 2026)

Emma Goldsmith, education - University of Manchester.

FAMOUS SCHOOL GRADUATES

• Emma Watson, English actress, model and activist. Watson gained fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film, starring in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011.
• Hugh Laurie, English actor, writer, director, musician and comedian. From 2004 to 2012, he played Dr. Gregory House, the protagonist of House. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 2011 as the most viewed presenter on television.
• Sir Roger Norrington, British conductor.
• Hugh Dancy, English actor and model. Known for the roles of Will Graham in the television series Hannibal and Prince Charmont in Enchanted Ella.
• Roderick Rory Stuart, British scientist, writer, diplomat, documentary and conservative politician, and chairman of the defence committee.

KEY FACTORS

• Boys and girls usually finish Dragon school at age 13 to enrol in top high schools: Eton College, Shrewsbury School, Cheltenham Ladies' College, Harrow School, Radley College, Rugby School, Marlborough College, Canford School, St Edward's School, Oxford and Abingdon School.
• Many children receive scholarships and awards in the field of academic, cultural and sports achievements.
• The school is proud of its achievements in sports. Athletics is a special force; the school received a medal at the national preparatory championship in 2018.
• With a lot of interest clubs, the school’s bridge club beat the famous Eton school, taking third place in the 2018 Young Bridge Challenge in Britain.

EQUIPMENT

The school boasts excellent facilities, including sports facilities, from well-groomed sports fields to a 25-meter indoor pool and Olympic hockey fields.

PROGRAM

The Dragon Prep curriculum is tailored to the needs of students and their future aspirations. Although it is based on a national curriculum, school departments adapt and improve their curricula to provide motivation, inspiration and stimulation for each student.

In addition to the main subjects of English and mathematics, the Dragon Prep program includes: modern languages, classical languages, science, music, FPE (faith, philosophy and ethics), ICT (information and communication technologies), art, drama, design and technology, and physical education. Also including the philosophy, ethics, principles and practice of charity.

By 11-13 years, the curriculum is planned to a large extent in accordance with the requirements for admission to leading high schools.

All children have a tutor who is responsible for their performance. Children regularly meet with their caregivers, both formally and informally. Preparation (homework) is carried out after dinner in classrooms under the close supervision of academic staff.

ACCOMMODATION

10 student homes are located in the heart of the school. More than a third of children study in full board. On average, 225 students live at the same time at the school.

Homes for younger students are located next to the main school buildings: one for girls and two for boys. The bedrooms are very comfortable, they are divided among themselves by a small group of friends. Duvet covers, toys, photographs and posters - all this creates a comfortable atmosphere at home. Each house has a place for games, recreation and sharing TV and DVD.

Ten houses accommodate students from 8 to 13 years old. Boys and girls move to new homes on the 6th year (10 years), and then move on to homes for high school students on the 7th and 8th years (11-13 years).

This system has many practical advantages because it allows the school to provide the right conditions and levels of independence for each age group. It also means that by the last two years of schooling, children are in large homes, which gives them excellent preparation for life in high schools.

SPORT

The main goal of the sports department is for each child to leave school, love the sport and with desire to continue to engage in it in the future. In each age group, at least three sports classes per week are held, in many cases this is supplemented by matches, events and clubs.

The school holds matches in many sports against other schools from all over the region. Last year, Dragon school teams took part in almost 900 matches in various sports.

Sports at Dragon school: rugby, hockey (girls and boys), soccer (girls and boys), netball, cricket (girls and boys), tennis (girls and boys), table tennis, athletics, cross country, swimming, horse riding, golf, rowing, squash, fencing, judo, skiing, badminton, shooting, lacrosse and polo.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

The program of events and clubs is aimed at instilling confidence, independence and breadth of interests in students. Much attention is paid to the overall development of the child, ensuring a balance of academic and extracurricular activities.

Each child has at least two interest classes each week. However, some children, especially in high school, will need certain classes, such as musical ensembles, swimming, or preparing for the scholarship exam.

In addition to compulsory classes, the school offers various clubs after classes. Most clubs are run by Dragon personnel, but where necessary (such as judo, fencing, squash, tennis, and chess), non-staff personnel are hired. These classes are available at an additional cost.

The Dragon Prep Library is designed to be a pleasure to read. It seeks to create a positive, relaxed environment in which students can immerse themselves in other worlds, develop their own interests and love books for life. In addition to extensive fiction and scientific literature, there are computers, newspapers and magazines. Throughout the year, the library holds a number of events, including discussions with authors, contests for writing stories, and public reading.

During the child’s stay at school, he will be offered a number of tours and expeditions. Some are open to all comers, some only to children of a certain age, and others, such as music or sports tours, are available by invitation only. Suggested trips vary from year to year.

Music

Music is a key component of school life, which is why it is included in the education of every child in Dragon. The goal of the music department is to rekindle the enthusiasm of musically talented children and offer opportunities for everyone to realize through music.

The Dragon Music Department provides opportunities for creative use of music technology. The school has a modern recording studio, which is used for high-quality recording of many excellent bands and ensembles.

Students can also take part in Dragon Hit Factory, a weekly creative workshop in which children collaborate to write their own music in a wide variety of genres. The resulting songs are then recorded by students in a recording club. Children learn from experienced professionals to use the latest software along with traditional methods, and can feel like novice producers.

COST, 2026-2027

£17,250 per semester.
In the school year, 3 semesters

Included in cost

• Teaching
• Accommodation and meals
• laundry
• Services and travel for most sports and games
• Accident insurance

Extra paid

• Registration fee - £155
• Deposit - half the current term’s fees at entry, returned on final bill
• Flights
• Transfers to / from the airport
• Visa
• Services of the company "Paradise"
• Guardianship (as required by British law)

Our services and fees

Summer course at Dragon school

Impressions of visiting the school

Natalia Strein
Founder of Paradise

Dragon is the Rolls-Royce of British prep schools. A school where there is serious competition for every teacher's place: after Dragon, teachers become headmasters or deputy headmasters at other schools.

It's very ordinary in appearance, nothing spectacular. Fields, pool, iso, labs, boring buildings - all ok and nothing wow.

That's the point: the true value of any school is not in its fancy interiors and equipment. What matters is its teachers, its educational strategy and atmosphere. All that Rags of Masquerade is not really needed. This is the philosophy of the Oxford dons who opened this school for their children. It's very English in general. Material things don't surprise anyone here, they're not valuable. Only the child's contribution to the life of the school and to the world is valued. His soul, his ambition.

Oxford dons (that's how Oxford University teachers are traditionally called) saw no sense in excesses. Speaking of which, today most dons are left wing, they see public schools as an unnecessary luxury and give into state schools. So, if you are lucky enough to live in Oxford, you can safely step into a free institution and teach your child in the company of brainy children of the most academic parents in the world.

To enter Dragon you need to know English fluently enough, the last age for admission - 11 years old. And also to know French and Latin, at least at an intermediate level - they are taught here from the age of 9. This is a school for mature, confident and ambitious children. The speed of learning is furious. It's for those who can grasp things in a hurry.

Assistant Director of Admissions, Ma Jan has been here for 11 years. I guess it's for the fun of it Husband was once a dragon, then became a don! Son went to Eton, then Cambridge. Our mouths are open and will not close. Daughter went to Rugby, then Cardiff. I breathe out a sigh of relief - my son is there too. Jan is getting warmer, getting closer to the people. We're no longer complete suckers in her snobbish eyes.

Preparatory schools, or prep schools, began to appear in the 17th century to prepare young children for entry to senior schools, or prep schools, at the age of 13. They prepare for the common entrance exam, which consists of 8 exams.

If you enter at the age of 10, you can guarantee that at 13 your son or daughter will be in a top school. You can do it at 11, but there are mock tests administered by high schools. There's no time to fit in, no time to learn the language. At 12 there's no point at all.

Don't forget: you can always send your child for one term. Or even six weeks. Not to Dragon, of course.