Dragon School

[nemo4]

Any know about school life at The Dragon School in Oxford? Is it all rich kids, or a mix of rich and supported kids?

I know a number of families who use The Dragon. They contain,without exception,very nice,Boden-wearing Mummies. They are not particularly wealthy but comfortable, in that North Oxford way

Their children-who co-incidently are all boys- seem most happy at the school.I believe the academic intake to be quite varied-the 'creme de le creme',as their parents see it,going off to Magdalen/OHS prep.

Thats interesting about MCS and OHS. I don't wear Boden!!!
Dragon do good bursaries, and I wonder how those children fit in.

I think - for what my thoughts are worth very little - that being an interesting/interested child counts for more than being cash rich in the independant sector.My lot, even the 15 year old, are totally oblivious to a families economic status.The fact they are allowed into 'town' on Saturdays or similar, the measure of being cool/fitting in or not. Mind you, maybe thats the reason we went north with our choice of prep schools!
Besides,any school that produced Hugh Laurie must be pretty fine.

Crunched - Where produced Hugh Laurie then?

Oh sorry- The Dragon (followed inevitably by Eton) as far as I know.

I have friends at the Dragon and I've heard it's very much a school for social climbers - keeping up with the Jones'. They were also told the school would be able to cater for their kids needs - both gifted and SLD - but this has been dissappointing for three of my friends and has not materialised. It also boasts about being the largest prep school in the country which is actually a huge negative in my opinion. I also have a friend who taught there and she is now at a small prep and says the atmposhpere is far better as it was very pushy - not academically, but pushy parents and the girls in particular were quite old for their years. If you're looking for a co-ed day place then it is fine, although has a captive market, but if you are looking for a boarding school then I would say no.

Second-hand info so may not be totally reliable.

Sounds much more fun I agree Profiterole!
Why is it called 'The Dragon' school anyway? Does anyone know??

dragon history explaining name

that's v strange, i had always thought that i would love ds to go to the dragon if we had the choice, but one look at the website and i am completely turned off! maybe only because we don't have the choice IYSWIM.

Choosy - they do HUGE bursaries. What turned you off?

The Old Dragons page. Very prejudiced of me. Just can't face the reality that one day my lovely spritelike DS will be a large lumpish man in a suit with sticky out teeth.

LOL!!!
I know what you mean!!!!
You can get braces for the teeth though!!!
I'm having trouble imagining my DS going there (presuming we were to get a big bursary), but think the facilities and opportunities there would be fab. Oh what to do.

I'm oddly disappointed

As a non Boden wearing average Mum with a small boy who boards, we are very happy with the Dragon. The boarders and day children, though, do seem to be a slightly different breed. It is about choosing the right school for your child. We looked at lots of schools, weighed up the teaching, facilities, boarding houses, pastoral care, music, academic results etc. and looked to see if the children seemed happy and fulfilled. The Dragon was right for our son but it might not be the place for everyone. Go and visit. There is quite a mix of backgrounds in the boarding house but the boys care not. I've made some great friends amongst the varied parents. They are not pushy but just want the best for their children.

GSW - what age did your son start boarding at Dragon. I have my son down to board at Dragon for the last two years - he is currently at a London day prep school. Do you think this would work, do many come for the final two years or would this be an odd thing to do and therefore unsettling for my son? Any advice or thoughts welcome!!!

Have friends with children who are/were at the Dragon.

It's a good school for the confident, outgoing, one-day-will-be-rugby-player type - less good for the sensitive musical types. One of my friends took her child out because they wouldn't support their (mild) SN and they felt under pressure to leave.

I was really impressed by this school. The teaching staff are generally very passionate. The head seems to have a very tough recruiting policy which interested me.

Not only do staff have to have either a brilliant, proven track record or if he takes on a newly qualified teacher, fantastic results and a real desire to teach, but they have to prove their commitment.

He watches them in the dining hall after their interview and puts them on a table with the children. If they are not fully interactive, interested and good humored they don't get the job.

They seem to be really passionate about what they do there and I'd seriously consider it if I had the resources and lived nearby.

Looked at Dragon but ended up chosing Sunningdale. All boys, extremely happy, old fashioned values, great mix of families, a very special place that is somehow right for all boys. My third one there at the moment and each child has been very different but all have thrived and flourished there. Great preparation for the next school. Definately worth a look!

Looked at Dragon but ended up chosing Sunningdale. All boys, extremely happy, old fashioned values, great mix of families, a very special place that is somehow right for all boys. My third one there at the moment and each child has been very different but all have thrived and flourished there. Great preparation for the next school. Lots come in for last two years and we all moved from London day school too. All bys never looked back - much more fun and sport and less pressure but with great results. Definately worth a look!

Apologies to JosieL67 for my tardy response. Our son went to the Dragon as a boarder at 8. There are a number of children who come and go at different ages (mainly leave for financial reasons) and the turnover doesn't seem to bother them. There is a new boy in my son's room in the boarding house and he seems to have been immediately accepted. Although the children are in forms they are in sets for things such as Maths and languages and in different groups for art, DT etc. This means they live and work with a wide variety of boys and girls in their year. The huge range of after school activities, with yet different children in different year groups, is another opportunity to make different friends. I don't think it would be unsettling for your son at all.
I was interested in the 'less good for the sensitive musical types' comment. It seems the opposite from my perspective (my son wants more football!) with the Chamber Choir performing from London to Lisbon, the big band in national finals and drama being a huge thing at the school but done in a way so that even the reluctant (my son!) get on stage. My son is musical but hates performing in public so they have some 'informal' concerts, in a small room, for the sensitive children to perform in an almost stress free environment.
Our son is depressingly useless at Maths and English but I find him in the Art Scholars' group, the school having unearthed talents I didn't know he had.
The size of the school means that they can offer a huge range of sports, something for everyone, and pride themselves on nearly all the children representing the school at something during the year.
But, as I said before, different schools suit different children.

We are moving to Oxford and have a four and half year old daughter. Which private school is best - an all girls school or co-ed like the Dragon pre prep?

Son is there at the moment - not really enjoying it.

Now looking for a country prep school

Nicest preps around oxford are Chandlings (mixed) and the Manor (girls) - both day schools, both excellent. I'd look at both susan, and see which you prefer.

Dragon suits some but certainly not all. It is vast - and deals very well with the very bright, and very well with those who need support, but those in the middle can get a bit lost in the swirling masses.

It also has saturday school to keep the boarders happy which can be a real pain in the arse if you have day pupils there and would quite like to see them on weekends.

but nb no saturday school in the preprep - only from year 3 and above (but they get there pretty quickly!)

Spagg - Abingdon prep?