Dragon School

From Academic Kids

The Dragon School is a renowned British preparatory school in the city of Oxford, founded in 1877. The school accepts pupils from the age of 8 ("E Block") through to 13 ("A Block"), although an associated 'pre-prep', Lynams, accepts children from age 4. It is primarily known as a boarding school, although it also takes day pupils, which its website reassures us are "as much a part of the Dragon community as those who board". In September 2001, it had 840 pupils, of both sexes [1] (http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=999901010.715944%40adsl.fast.net.uk). Girls have been admitted as boarders since 1994.

It has been described as "England's largest and most famous preparatory school" [2] (http://www.cotswoldcountry.co.uk/oxford_schools_and_colleges.htm).

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History of the school

The Dragon School was founded in 1877, and was originally named the Oxford Preparatory School. Soon after its founding, it moved to its present site in Bardwell Road in the northern part of the city, just to the west of the River Cherwell.

The school was run for many years by the Lynam family, and according to its website their leadership led to its becoming "arguably the best known of all preparatory schools".

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Past pupils

Former pupils of the Dragon School are humorously referred to as "Old Dragons". The following people were students at one time (or, in a few cases, currently attending the school):

Sir John Betjeman (1906 - 1984), British poet, Poet Laureate from 1972
Humphrey Carpenter, British journalist, author, and musician
The Clay brothers, rowers
Christopher Cazenove, actor
Group Captain Sir Leonard Cheshire VC (1917 - 1992), distinguised serviceman, Wing Commander, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and founder of the Leonard Cheshire homes for the disabled
Lady Antonia Fraser (born 1932), British historical author
Cyril Gadney, rugby player and president of the RFU
The Rt. Hon. Hugh Gaitskell (1906 - 1963), British politician, leader of the Labour Party from 1955 to 1963
John Haldane and his children J.B.S. Haldane and Naomi Mitchison (1897 - 1999), British novelist and poet.
Tim Henman OBE (born 1974), British tennis player
Peter Jay, British television journalist, and former Economics Editor for the BBC
Patrick Jenkin PC (Lord Jenkin of Roding), British politician
David Jessel, journalist
Stephen Jessel, journalist
Dom Joly, comedian
John Kendrew (1917 - 1997), molecular biologist and Nobel Laureate
Hugh Laurie (born 1959), British comedian and actor

Sir John Mortimer (born 1923), British playwright, barrister, and novelist
Sir Roger Norrington (born 1934), musician and conductor
Ronnie Poulton-Palmer (born c. 1890; killed in First World War), rugby player
Timothy Raison, British politician
Jack Randle VC, distinguished serviceman, T/Captain, 2nd Bn. The Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army
William Leefe Robinson VC, distinguished serviceman, Lieutenant, 39 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Nicholas Shakespeare (born 1957), British journalist and novelist
Nevil Shute (1899 - 1960), British novelist
Marshal of the Air Force John Slessor, distinguished serviceman
John Smyth VC, distinguished serviceman, Lieutenant, 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, Indian Army
Peter Tranchell (1922 - 1993), musician, composer, and teacher
Emma Watson (born 1990), actress
Admiral Sir Hugo White, distinguished serviceman
Stephen Wolfram (born 1959), British physicist
Baroness Young (1926 - 2002), British politician