Dragon School

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 820 students.

DIRECTOR (stand 2023)

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, 2023-2024

£12,630 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 - £100
• 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)

SERVICES OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMPANY INCLUDE

• Selection of 5-6 schools that best meet the individual characteristics of the child, further goals, talents, with the desired environment. Help in the correct interpretation of school ratings, an explanation of why the school occupies one place or another. Help in obtaining reliable information about schools that are not included in the ratings, with an explanation of the reasons for non-participation in it.
• Admission to 1-3 schools, selected from the proposed. Which includes the preparation of the necessary documents, school reports, characteristics, recommendations. Selection and submission of tests to prepare the student for exam testing, assistance in preparing essays. Preparation for an interview with the teacher / principal, registration for the exam. The necessary list of recommendations when attending school for passing entrance examinations. Correspondence with the school (not all schools enter into correspondence with foreign parents, treat them with caution, trust only a trusted agent).
• Assistance in paying registration fees, deposits, bills. Clarification of school rules, including disciplinary and legal aspects.
• Filling out the required medical forms.
• Selection of guardians required by UK law.

Student supervision during the first month of training is provided as a gift: assistance in resolving issues related to resettlement, billing, informing parents about the child’s health status, assistance with understanding of academic programs, organization of ext. classes for the child in a particular subject, assistance in choosing the program that is most suitable for the child, transfer to another class, etc.