Can anyone tell me about The Dragon School?

[Checkmate]

Can anyone talk to me about The Dragon School? (for a potential day pupil, not boarder).

It has AMAZING facilities.
It is a very big school.
We thought our ds may get 'lost in the crowd' there, so we went for a smaller school which is suiting him well.
It has sat morning school.

Hope that helps? Have you been to visit?

Thanks wheresthegin. Yes, been to visit, have offer of a place, trying to decide whether or not to accept.
We don't currently live in the area (moving soon) so don't know anyone with DC there, and would like personal opinion on it, I guess. Whether its worth paying so much more than other schools!

I think anyone that has dc there will tell you how great it is - same as I would tell you how great my dc school is.
Has a reputation for having 'posh' and super-rich parents ( apologies to parents who don't like that reputation) I'm sure there are exceptions of course.
Depends on whether you think a big school will suit your DC.
Do you have other choices??

We're going to try for Magdalen (DS1 is pretty academic but not sure if that academic!) and want a back up place elsewhere. He'll be moving at y3. Choice of Dragon or Abingdon Prep as back up.

We're not thrilled by what we've seen of Abingdon Prep, but a new head is coming soon. Not massively aware of any other options.

Its not that I am actively looking for a very big school, more that my experience of him is that he has grown out of current small school quite fast, and wants a bigger choice of everything (clubs, sports, pals etc..)

Are you happy where you are? Any recommendations for me? (We're pretty new to the area).

Tim Henman went there.

It's probably one of the most famous prep schools in the country. Whether you like that idea or not is up to you. Glittering alumni etc.

When people say private school parents are a mixed bunch, not all wealthy/posh etc they are not talking about the Dragon School.

My friend teaches there. she has taught at various prep schools and has told me that the facilities are amazing butmany of the children are very arrogant.

There seems to be a culture of telling them that they 'will succeed' and 'are the best' and as a result they belive the hype.

I grew up nearby and though went to a comp and many friends from Magdalen and the ones that went to the Dragon stuck out as bullish.

Abingdon boys seemed a lot more rounded.

TBH some of the local schools are brilliant (phil & Jim for one) and you could do activites with them out of school.

Just out of interest, what put you off Abingdon? I though it had a pretty good reputation?

Depends what you want out a school as to which one you plump for.

Sorry - what you want out OF a school...
They all have good facilities and lots of clubs as far as I know.

Thanks everyone.

What puts us off Abingdon Prep are 2 main things

• Their general lack of organisation. They send us letters giving our son the wrong name, no record of our appointment to be shown round despite sending us a confirming letter, etc..
• They don't stream for maths until year 5 or 6, and DS is a maths whizz. Friends of friends have recently removed their very bright DS's as they feel not stretched enough.

These things don't apply to Abingdon Senior, only the Prep, and with new heads coming to both, I'm sure it'll be licked into shape. Just not sure how long that will take.

I know there are some excellent state school around, however we won't be in the catchment for them. We also already have our DD's in independent schools, and can't do it for them and not DS. Girls' schools are much easier for me to find than boys, I've discovered, they're less traditional and stuffy. Moving to a new area and having to decide without having friends to ask makes it particularly hard.

Thanks for the thoughts on the Dragon everyone. I know the reputation (posh parents, which we're not), but I can also see the amount of scholarships and awards the kids get to next schools, and its excellent. Are all the parents opting for the Dragon because it offers something beyond other schools, or is it all a bit Emperors New Clothes, that's what I'm trying to figure out.

New College prep is lovely

Thanks Mrs Shackleton, hadn't even heard of that one before

Just read their website and inspection report; does sound lovely. 113 pupils across 9 school years sounds like the school DS is coming from though, which he has definitely outgrown, so I think a bit too small to suit his personality perhaps. Might go along to open morning in Now though, just to double check.

Not sure where you plan to live, but if anywhere west of Oxford, have a look at St.Hugh's prep Carswell.Just under 300 pupils, a marvellous Head, lovely facilities. It is co-ed though (not sure if that's what you want).
They regularly send boys on to Abingdon and Magdalen, as well as to board at Teddy's, Cheltenham etc.My son left this summer. Have a look at their website.

Ah, I went to see St Hugh's and really liked it, but hellish journey for me with where DD's are going to be going, which ruled it out.

Liking all these recommendations though, thanks!

I know a couple of the teachers at New College prep, who are very very good - from what I gather it once had a few problems in terms of academic staff but is recovering fast. They say that the kids are great. Don't know about the maths there though, and it IS small.

Cokethorpe?

I was very impressed with it. I happen to know their selection procedure (for teachers) is absolutely rigorous only those extremely dedicated and who demonstrate they love children (they are looking for evidence of this perhaps when would be teachers are unaware) get the job.

It's fantastic and I wish we were in position to use it.

My brother went there (we lived next door). Admittedly, a long time ago...but he loved it, and my parents thought highly of it too.

Thanks for those good refernces for the Dragon!

I have to say, the staff impressed me. I also liked it that when I asked about bullying, I didn't get a "bullying isn't a problem here" response, which is a lie about any school as there are always a couple of insecure children who try to bully others.

Grrrr, don't know what to decide! Its a bad school to have as a "back up" place, as the acceptance deposit is so expensive!

My dad went there.

Our son is at The Dragon pre-prep (Lynams). Obviously I can't speak for the big school, though friends with older children rave about it. I want to say that we're not 'posh'. We live in a small semi-detached and would say that about a fifth of the pupils in his year of 49 children live in modest houses judging by addresses and visits. Yes, there are some parents who appear rather 'grand', but the really posh ones dress down and are lovely as they have nothing to prove. You'll always find parents/children from all backgrounds that you won't connect with, but overall we've been very happy and our son loves the school and his (little) home so that's what matters in the end. The teachers are egalitarian, don't like 'show-off's and many of them send their children to the school as they have reduced fees for their children. They are all completely accepted (as far as I know). What the school appreciates most is parent involvement and my husband and I were proud recipients of a Head Teacher's Award last term (although I'm sure they wouldn't turn down large bequests!) . We had a place at our local state primary and found it hard to make a decision but in the end I am really happy we went with the Dragon. Smallish classes, terrific committed teachers and real kindness.

Hi Artforall - wow, thank you! Great reference for the school. Its been my experience at the DC's current school that there is a huge mixture of different families, and their incomes aren't related to their niceness (or lack thereof).

It is the case though, that the Dragon costs £4000 a year more than the other schools, which is a consideration for us, and something we need to work out.

Thanks loads.

Glad to be of help Checkmate. Have you looked into bursaries, scholarships etc ? They do have a good reputation for helping struggling families though that may just be for existing pupils. Worth asking though maybe. I know of someone who has a son at Magdalen and is very happy there so if your son gets in that would be excellent. Everyone we know buys school uniform from the second hand shop at Dragon where most items are about £3-£5. We are not able to pay for ski trips and so on but its just not an issue at the Dragon as most parents we know seem to go on holiday within the British Isles and anyway we think its much more 'eco' as well as being cheaper, less hassle and more interesting to stay here. Give me a good holiday in Cornwall, Scotland or Wales any day. (I don't work for the British Tourist Board!) Though a bit of sun does help of course. Good Luck!

does anyone know the difference between Cothill House and Dragon school? which one is better? i would appreciate it if anyone can share me some opinions.