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Choosing between Dragon School and MCS in Oxford
Dragon is a co-educational day and boarding prep that ends at 13; Magdalen College School continues to Sixth Form and is gradually becoming co-educational.
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Dragon School and Magdalen College School are not direct substitutes.
Dragon is co-educational from ages 4–13. It offers day places and boarding from the Prep years, but every pupil needs a senior-school plan for age 13. MCS is a day school from Junior School through Sixth Form. Its younger and senior years have historically admitted boys, while Sixth Form is already co-educational.
MCS is changing gradually
MCS plans to admit girls into Years 3 and 4 in September 2027. Girls are scheduled to enter Year 7 from September 2030. This does not mean every year group becomes mixed immediately; the announcement describes a staged regulatory change.
For the first 2027 girls’ junior intake, MCS gives 31 October 2026 as the registration deadline and January 2027 assessments. A family applying in another year group should use that group’s admissions page rather than carrying this deadline across.
Dragon requires a second decision later
Dragon’s Pre-Prep is on Woodstock Road and the Prep is on Bardwell Road. Boarding is associated with the older Prep stage, not the age-four starting point. Its main entries include Reception, Year 3 and Year 4, with occasional places elsewhere.
Dragon publishes 2026 fees of £11,575 a term for a day pupil and £17,250 for a boarder at the relevant Prep rate. MCS publishes £10,036 a term including VAT for Senior School. Check age-specific fees, deposits and inclusions before comparing totals.
Decide the structure before the brand
Choose Dragon if a co-educational prep and a day or boarding arrangement to 13 fit, and you are ready to research the next school. MCS is relevant if the aim is an Oxford day school through GCSEs and A Levels. Check the applicant’s eligibility during the co-education transition.
Ask Dragon how future-school preparation works for the child’s intended destination. Ask MCS which year groups admit girls in the intended September, and confirm current assessment dates.
Continue with the Oxford city page and United Kingdom overview.
Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.
Other school profiles
Oxford
Dragon School
Dragon is a co-educational day and boarding prep school in Oxford for ages 4–13. It suits families seeking education through Year 8, with a separate senior-school move afterwards. Fees vary by year group, and flexi-boarding offers an alternative to full boarding.
OxfordMagdalen College School
MCS offers selective day education through A Levels. Girls join Years 3 and 4 in September 2027 and Year 7 in 2030; Sixth Form is already co-educational. The entry route, local living arrangements and full budget all need checking.
LondonAlleyn’s School
Alleyn’s is a selective co-educational day school for ages 4–18. This guide explains the different junior-school routes, the 11+ and 16+ processes, and the costs that sit outside tuition.
BristolBristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School is a selective, co-educational independent day school from Reception through Sixth Form. Its subject range makes it worth considering for a child who wants academic choice while living at home. Senior and Sixth Form fees are £7,422 per term from autumn 2026. Admissions pages still describe the previous entry round, so families applying for 2027 need a new timetable.
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