Dragon School is an outstanding day and boarding prep school located in Oxford. The school was originally founded in 1877 as the Oxford Preparatory School to educate the sons of Oxford University dons (professors). The name was changed to Dragon School and was run for many years by progressive educationalists who believed that children should enjoy school and understand the world around them. The aims and ethos of Dragon School today retain strong links to these roots.

One of the pre-eminent prep schools in the UK, the Dragon educates boys and girls from 4-13 years old. It is a vibrant, happy and aspirational school, promoting a love of learning, breadth of opportunity and a strong sense of community and fun. The School today has boarding and day pupils representing 30 different nationalities which reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Oxford. Young Dragons grow in confidence as they move through the School and they progress to a wide range of top senior schools with many gaining academic and specialist scholarships each year. ‘Old Dragons’ have gone on to be successful in different fields, from politics to business and poetry to acting, and form an important part of the Dragon community.

A Dragon education prepares all children for life in the wider world, and one of its unique characteristics is that the teaching of philanthropy is woven into the curriculum. Pupils learn how they can give back to others through regular involvement in social and environmental projects, and from Reception to Year 8 take an active role in charitable fundraising. Alongside its vibrant day pupil provision, boarding is at the heart of the Dragon community, with a wide range of boarding options available to meet the needs of modern family living. The pastoral care provided by Houseparents is outstanding, and good communication between the child, home and school is key.

As Dragon School approaches its 150th anniversary in 2027, it has ambitious plans to maintain its position as a frontrunner in education. With the leadership of a new Head and a new strategy being developed and soon to be implemented, it is an incredibly exciting time to join the Board of Dragon School as the new Governors will play a key role in shaping and guiding these plans and the School’s other exciting ambitions.

The Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing the strategy and determining the educational character and mission of Dragon School. Additionally, the Board is responsible for the effective, efficient and economical use of the School's funds. It sets and monitors the School's strategic direction to ensure the sustainable delivery of its core objectives, making appropriate provision for the support, advice, guidance and welfare of students.

The School is keen to leverage its international reputation and exploit its valuable assets in North Oxford by developing incremental revenue streams to support the ongoing development of the School and its ambitions to expand the successful Bursary programme. In addition, the School needs to ensure it continues to engage prospective parents in a considered and relevant way. Finally, the pandemic has accelerated the technical demands in education and the School needs to ensure its technology continues to support outstanding and increasingly flexible teaching and learning experiences. The successful candidate will participate in strategic decision-making, will scrutinise and challenge the senior management team's plans, and oversee their implementation to ensure the School continues to develop, evolve and thrive.

As Dragon School is constantly looking at ways to improve its excellent educational offer, Governors will provide appropriate, constructive challenge to existing norms and propose changes to ensure that governance is both appropriately supportive and effective.

Governor (Business Development/Sales)

Dragon School is looking for candidates who can help realise the value within the Dragon whilst ensuring it remains focused on its core purpose of being an outstanding educational institution. The successful candidate will have worked with Boards and Investors to deliver profitable growth, with a strong track record in business Development and sales. This may be from any sector, although experience as a Founder / Entrepreneur in a technology or other innovative high growth sector would be advantageous. International experience would be of value too.

The successful candidate will have held senior leadership roles developing and operating a robust and highly effective business development capability. In addition, the School is seeking someone who can demonstrate a successful track record in running high-performing sales functions. This could be either as a Founder / Entrepreneur, or as someone who has played a strategic role in leading the growth of an organisation, ideally through a number of growth phases, and / or financing rounds.

Technology has become ever more important in teaching and learning. Therefore, Dragon School is also looking for candidates with skills who can help support and challenge the continued development and delivery of a safe, secure and high-performing technology function.

The successful candidate should be able to guide and challenge the Board as it considers a wide range of strategic and commercial decisions, and this should always be in the context of a leading UK education establishment. All candidates will have an interest in how education can shape society and will be aligned with the Dragon’s values, aims and ethos of creating an environment where all pupils can thrive through curiosity, purpose and independence. Candidates should understand and appreciate the culture at Dragon - which is to be bold in its approach and ambitions, while remaining true to its founding principles.

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Governor (Risk & Compliance)

Dragon School is looking for a new Governor with senior strategic experience in risk management and compliance. The new Governor will have the ability to challenge the School's Board and Executive, and ensure it continues to meet all its regulatory and compliance obligations, and that any decisions made are robust and any associated risks are mitigated, or significantly reduced.

The successful candidate should have senior-level strategic risk / compliance experience within an organisation which operates in a highly regulated environment (across any sector e.g. financial services, healthcare). They will be able to evidence successfully working with Boards / Executives on assessing strategic risks and managing risks involved in key strategic decisions, ensuring there is adequate analysis, understanding and mitigation. They will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how to create a culture of compliance whilst supporting an environment that encourages innovation and exploration. They will be able to see the big picture, and will have the experience, knowledge and skills to ensure that the School is making sound strategic decisions underpinned by robust risk management. The ideal candidate will ensure that Dragon School meets, and exceeds, all of its statutory obligations, whether that be with the Charity Commission, Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate or so on.

The Dragon is renowned for being ambitious and challenging the status quo. Hence, it is looking for candidates who understand how to manage risk and compliance in a controlled, measured and safe environment so that Dragons can continue to be adventurous. Candidates may have worked for a variety of different types of organisations, however, experience of working for innovative / challenger brands would be advantageous.

All interested candidates will have an interest in how education can shape the wider society and will be aligned with the Dragon’s values, aims and ethos of creating an environment where all pupils can thrive through curiosity, purpose and independence. Candidates should understand and embrace the unique culture at the Dragon - the School continues to be bold in its approach and ambitions, while remaining true to its values of kindness, courage and respect.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are three Board meetings annually which take place on a Friday evening and a Saturday morning. Ad hoc events may include attendance at other Sub-Committee meetings or half-days spent at the school. The appointment is for a six-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.