Summer Fields

Summer Fields occupies a prime North Oxford site near Summertown, with extensive grounds and the feel of a country prep school that happens to be in the city. It's a boys' prep school, primarily boarding with some day places, and its purpose is unambiguous: to prepare boys for the top public schools. The school has a long track record of scholarships to Eton, Winchester, Harrow, and other major schools. Former Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Anthony Eden are among the old boys.

What parents should know

This is a traditional prep school in the fullest sense. The atmosphere is structured, manners matter, and the curriculum is geared toward Common Entrance and scholarship exams. Boarding starts young — boys can board from age 8 — and the school encourages it as central to the experience. Check the school's website for current fees, which vary by year group. Sport is a big part of life, with particular strength in cricket and rugby.

Summer Fields is a school with clear expectations about behaviour, effort, and aspiration — and boys who respond to that structure tend to flourish. For boys who respond well to structure and enjoy the boarding environment, it can be transformative. For those who need more flexibility or are not headed for the public school system, the Dragon offers a broader, less prescriptive alternative.

The reputation

Summer Fields is seen as the more traditional counterpart to the Dragon. Where the Dragon is relaxed and eccentric, Summer Fields is disciplined and focused. Both produce excellent results, but the culture is markedly different. Oxford parents tend to fall into one camp or the other. The school's reputation for getting boys into Eton is well-earned and remains the primary draw for many families. It's smaller and more intimate than the Dragon, which suits some boys very well.