Oxford’s Dragon School is one of the country’s leading preparatory Schools. A co-educational boarding and day school it offers, together with the Dragon pre-prep, Lynams, an outstanding educational experience to boys and girls from 4 to 13 years.

Founded in the 19th century by Oxford dons on the principle that children should enjoy learning, the Dragon School has the same lively spirit and enquiring character today.

It is a place where children learn how to learn — with outstanding results. Dragons themselves are noted for a degree of informality and a confident, enthusiast approach to all they do.

The school promotes an ethos of common sense and kindness, and creates a culture of learning how to learn. The understanding of the individual child and the appreciation of effort of every kind, result in all round academic, sporting and cultural achievement.

A non-selective school, the Dragon’s pupils are very successful in their final exams; the school has an impressive record of scholarships and awards to future schools (37 in 2009) and pupils go on to a wide range of the country’s finest independent senior schools.

The extensive curriculum is taught by highly-qualified staff whose innovative lessons and high standards led to the Dragon being deemed ‘outstanding’ on many fronts in its most recent inspection.

A very strong sporting tradition is mirrored by rich creativity in drama, music and art. The huge programme of extracurricular activities and clubs encompasses games, languages, sports, debates, drama, music and much more. Dragons are also seasoned travellers and many expeditions and trips are made to destinations near and far.

Dragon School enjoys leafy surroundings on the banks of the River Cherwell.

Traditional buildings, contemporary facilities and extensive playing fields are the setting for an exceptional, rounded academic education for boarding and day pupils.

A sizeable school which can grow with the child, the Dragon is composed of small, friendly communities.

Boarding is the heart of the school where warm support and a caring ethos are enjoyed by boarders from the local community, London, the rest of the UK and around the world.

A new additional boarding house for girls opens later this autumn, due to popular demand.

The Dragon pre-prep Lynams, in Summertown, has its own staff and facilities on a scale which is friendly to small children. Last year’s Ofsted report for reception was ‘outstanding’.

Bursaries of up to 95 per cent of fees are offered each year for boarding or day places at the Dragon.

Academic awards worth up to 20 per cent of fees are also available and enquiries are welcome now. The next open day is on Saturday, October 17, and families interested in boarding or day places are warmly invited to visit the school.

"Extremely successful in its aim of helping pupils to develop their mind and capacities in their own way"

ISI Report 2006 "One of the best, most exciting and charming academic prep schools in the country"

Good Schools Guide 2009