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Summer 2027 · Oxford · Ages 8–12

Oxford Young Explorers at Dragon School

A safe, joyful first adventure away from home. At Camp Dragon, children aged 8 to 12 build confidence and English through play, creativity and discovery, on the campus of one of Oxford’s best-known prep schools.

Book a place
Dragon School campus in Oxford

1 · Dates and fees

Summer 2027 dates and fees

Dates
19 July – 16 August 2027
Length of stay
2 weeks
English level
A2+
Lessons
15+ hours per week
Options
Residential or day

Young Explorers

Ages 8–12Level A2+2 weeks

English, maths, science, geography, history, art, technology, drama and music, learned through themed days, play and hands-on projects, plus a full activity and excursion programme.

LengthResidentialDay
2 weeks£4,095£2,995

Course dates

SessionArriveDepart
1Mon 19 JulyMon 2 August
2Mon 2 AugustMon 16 August

Fees are per student. The optional Harry Potter Studios trip is charged separately. Airport transfers are available at £150 each way.

2 · The school

Dragon School, Oxford, est. 1877

Dragon School is a co-educational boarding and day prep school for ages 4 to 13, just north of central Oxford. It was founded in 1877 by a committee of Oxford dons, and its pupils are known as “Dragons” after Saint George.

The school is known for encouraging enquiry, confidence and enthusiasm, combining academic rigour with creativity and independence. Its 22-acre campus includes playing fields, a boathouse with river access, an indoor swimming pool, three art studios and six science labs.

The summer programme, Camp Dragon, is British Council accredited and rated a Centre of Excellence by EL Gazette from 2018 to 2026.

83
scholarships and awards to senior schools in 2024
1877
founded by Oxford University academics
22 acres
of campus in North Oxford
Dragons go on to schools including
Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Rugby, Radley, Marlborough, Wycombe Abbey and Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Friends at Camp Dragon A student playing with bubbles A student with a member of staff in costume

3 · The summer programme

Safe. Brave. Curious.

Camp Dragon is built around learning through play. Each day has a theme, from History Day to Technology Day, and English is the language of every activity, so it becomes a natural part of the day. Children might design a personal coat of arms, build a marble roller coaster or explore an Oxford museum.

Every theme moves through four stages: Discover introduces the idea through creativity and play, Develop takes it further in teams, Dare stretches children outside their comfort zone, and Showtime! lets them present, perform and celebrate what they’ve learned.

Children take a short placement test before arrival, and leave with a certificate of attendance celebrating their achievements.

15+ hrs
of lessons and workshops per week
1:6
staff-to-student ratio
9
subjects explored through themed days
24/7
care from House Parents

Timetable: a typical week

A sample week for residential students. Activities and excursions are examples and may change.

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
07:00–09:30Wake up and breakfast · 09:00 Rise and Shine: the whole camp starts the day together
09:30–10:30Arrival day
House activities and awesome activities		Camp Values and Dragon Team
Sorting Hat		Discover Geography
Biome Explorers		Discover History
Heraldic Shields		Full-day excursion
Week 1: Warwick Castle
Week 2: Legoland Windsor		Discover Maths
The Great Maths Heist		Funday Sunday!
Awesome activities
10:30–11:00PlayPlay
11:00–12:30Dragon Points
Site treasure hunt		Develop Geography
Survival Earth		Develop History
Castle defences, catapults and trebuchets		Develop Maths
Codebreak Academy		Funday Sunday!
Awesome activities
12:30–13:30LunchLunch
13:30–15:00Dragon Mascots
Building dragons, dens and story writing		Oxford Adventure
Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum		Dare History
Combat archery and fencing		Dare Maths
The Vault Challenge		Hero activities
15:00–15:30PlayPlayPlay
15:30–17:00Showtime!
Dragon Egg Protectors		Showtime!
Castle Conquests		Showtime!
World Record Breakers		Dragon Silly Olympics, or optional extra: Harry Potter Studios
17:00–18:15Me time: relax, call home, unwind
18:15–20:00Dinner, then awesome activities: football, badminton, dance, den building, arts and crafts, board games and drawingPizza and Film Night
20:00–21:00House time with juice and biscuits · 20:30 bed time

Activities

From art and sport to outdoor adventures and evening performances, every activity is chosen to build teamwork, confidence and friendships.

Arts and craftsCombat archeryFencingZorbingSwimmingDen buildingRobotics workshopMarble Run Rollercoaster ChallengeLegoPlanetariumDragon QuestDramaDanceSportsDodgeballRainbow TagSilly OlympicsBoard games and puzzlesKaraokeDiscoFilm nightTalent showTrashion ShowSuperstar Sendoff
A student doing combat archery Students playing a parachute game Students taking part in an indoor activity

Excursions

Excursions bring each week’s learning to life.

The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford
Oxford Adventure
The historic city of Oxford, including the Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum.
Jousting knights at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle
A medieval fortress where dungeons and epic shows bring history to life.
A giant LEGO figure at Legoland Windsor
Legoland Windsor
Themed rides, creative challenges and hands-on LEGO fun.
Diagon Alley at the Harry Potter Studios
Harry Potter Studios · optional extra
A behind-the-scenes look at the sets, props and special effects of the films.

Accommodation and care

Boarding
Purpose-built accommodation on a secure campus designed for younger learners: dormitory rooms, shared bathrooms and house common rooms. Boys and girls live separately.
Care
House Parents and Pastoral Activity Leaders are with the children from wake-up to lights out, and support is available 24 hours a day. Every child is known by name. All staff are DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained, led by a dedicated Welfare Manager with trained first aiders on site.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day in the modern dining hall.
Facilities
Adventure playground, art studio, playing fields, sports hall, swimming pool, theatre and Wi-Fi. Laundry service included.

Included in every course

15+ hours of lessons per week
Full activity and evening programme
Weekly Oxford excursion and a full-day trip
Accommodation and three meals a day (residential)
24-hour pastoral care
Certificate of attendance
4 · Booking

Book your place for summer 2027

Places are limited, and the earlier you book, the more choice you have. A £1,000 deposit secures a place. Complete the booking form, or send us an enquiry and we’ll help you choose the right dates. You can also email info@summerschool-uk.com.

New to booking? Read the course booking procedure.