The Dragon is proud to be a truly independent Prep School and our A Block (Year 8) leavers progress to more than thirty destination schools with many of them gaining academic or specialist awards at an impressive list of senior schools.
Our Future Schools’ department takes a child-focused, collaborative approach to placing young Dragons into their chosen senior schools and we have strong, long-established relationships with a wide selection of schools nationwide. The Deputies work closely with the Future Schools team and the Head to advise families on suitable schools where their child would thrive and enjoy success.
The journey begins in Year 4 where the pupils benefit from Reasoning lessons which continue as part of their timetable until the end of Year 6. As the children move through the School, preparation sessions are run in advance of the ISEB Common Pre-Test and other school-specific pre-tests. To prepare for interviews, an external company run an advisory session for all Year 6 children. This is followed up by further practice with Tutors and other senior members of staff prior to any interview at a senior school.
It is our main focus to ensure that the child will be comfortable with the environment and academic demands of their senior school.
Scholarships and Exhibitions to Senior Schools
We are delighted that a tremendous 61 awards have been gained by our 2022 leavers:
Academic
| Eton College | Wycombe Abbey | Wellington College |
| Harrow School | Magdalen College School | Sevenoaks School |
| Fettes College | Oxford High School | Marlborough College |
| St. Edward's School | Cheltenham College | Headington School |
| Radley College | The School of St. Helen & St. Katharine |
All-Rounder
| Oundle School |
Art and Design
| Marlborough College | Abingdon School | Charterhouse School |
| St. Edward's School | Oxford High School | The School of St. Helen & St. Katharine |
Drama
| Our Lady's Abingdon School | St Edward's School |
Music
| Radley College | Harrow School | St Edward’s School |
| Tonbridge School | Wellington College | Abingdon School |
| Magdalen College School |
Sports
| Repton School | Harrow School | Oundle School |
| The Cheltenham Ladies' College | St. Edward's School | Headington School |
Throughout our son’s time at the Dragon, he has enjoyed school immensely and benefited from the wide variety of experiences and opportunities available. We are very grateful to the teachers who have supported and inspired him.
Top Destination Schools
This table shows the most popoular destinations over the past few years but individual Dragons also go on to many other schools reflecting our bespoke approach and emphasising our independence. Other recent destinations have been Gordonstoun, Fettes, Brighton College, Sevenoaks, Bloxham and Downe House.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Edward's School | 25 | 23 | 19 | 18 |
| Eton College | 9 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Radley College | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Headington | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 |
| Marlborough College | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Magdalen College School | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Abingdon | 7 | 8 | 6 | 11 |
| Wellington College | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Winchester College | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Oundle School | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| The Cheltenham Ladies' College | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Harrow School | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Rugby School | 3 | 11 | 11 | 6 |
| Wycombe Abbey | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Stowe School | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
