Dragon School in Oxford names first female headteacher in its 144-year history

A top private school whose alumni include Emma Watson, Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie has appointed its first female head in 144 years.

Emma Goldsmith will take up the role at the £30,000-a-year Dragon School in Oxfordshire from September.

She becomes the twelfth head of the school in its 144-year history, succeeding Crispin Hyde-Dunn.

She said: ‘I am thrilled to be appointed as head of the Dragon, it will be a privilege to lead this extraordinary school.

‘The future is full of possibilities and I am looking forward to meeting the children, staff, parents and old Dragons over the coming months.’

Emma Goldsmith (pictured) will take up the role at Dragon School in Oxfordshire from September

She becomes the twelfth head of the school in its 144-year history, succeeding Crispin Hyde-Dunn (file photo)

She becomes the twelfth head of the school in its 144-year history, succeeding Crispin Hyde-Dunn (file photo)

The Dragon School was founded in 1877 by a group of Oxford University dons for their own children and is for pupils aged four to 13.

Its former pupils included Tim Henman, Dom Joly, Hugh Laurie, Emma Watson, Jack Whitehall and Rory Stewart.

Mrs Goldsmith has previously worked as deputy head at Bloxham School, Banbury, where she also worked as housemistress, setting up the first girls’ boarding house.

She will move to the Dragon from her position as head of Winchester House School, where she won ‘Best Head of a Prep School’ at the 2019 Tatler Awards.

Andrew Webb, chair of governors at the Dragon, said: ‘Emma brings a wealth of teaching and leadership experience, and we are excited by her deep understanding of the needs of pupils and their families.

‘Her knowledge of both prep and senior schools will be invaluable in ensuring the Dragon remains at the forefront of prep school education.’

Harry Potter star Emma Watson (pictured in New York in 2019) was among the school's former pupils

Harry Potter star Emma Watson (pictured in New York in 2019) was among the school’s former pupils

Its former pupils included Tom Hiddleston (pictured) Tim Henman and Dom Joly

Pictured: Hugh Laurie also went there

Its former pupils also include Tom Hiddleston (left) Tim Henman, Dom Joly, Hugh Laurie (right), Jack Whitehall and Rory Stewart

The school came under flak in September after it changed the name of the senior boys’ boarding house from Gunga Din.

Named after Rudyard Kipling’s 1890 poem, the title had been used for more than 80 years at the school.

It is now known as Dragon House because the school claims: ‘ ‘Gunga’ has now become derogatory, and even used as a racial slur.’

The governors said the original name ‘comes from the eponymous poem by Rudyard Kipling’ telling the story of Gunga Din, an Indian ‘bhishti’ or water-carrier.

They say Gunga Din remains faithful to those he serves and dies while trying to save the English soldier who narrates the poem and who says in its final line: ‘You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!’

Rudyard Kipling’s accomplishments appear to count for little in 21st-century Britain - but one furious former pupil wrote to the Dragon to discuss their personal 'outrage,' at changing the boarding house name

Rudyard Kipling’s accomplishments appear to count for little in 21st-century Britain – but one furious former pupil wrote to the Dragon to discuss their personal ‘outrage,’ at changing the boarding house name

Emphasising the name Gunga Din was chosen ‘to highlight the higher ideals of equality, fairness and human dignity’, the governors added ‘these align with today’s core Dragon values of kindness, courage and respect’.

But claiming ‘Gunga’ has now become derogatory the governors add ‘such potentially offensive language is against the Dragon’s ethos of inclusivity and diversity’, and ‘is no longer appropriate’.

Saira Uppal, the Dragon’s director of development and external relations, said: ‘The change is not in response to any comment or complaint.

‘We are responsive to sensitivities which exist today.’

One furious former pupil wrote to the school to express their ‘utter outrage at the craven and absurd decision’ to rename the boarding house.

‘You have chosen to give way to ignorance and the misguided forces of political correctness…

 ‘This decision has let down generations of Dragons. It has made me ashamed to call myself an OD and I never thought I would say that.’

Kipling biographer Andrew Lycett, who has ‘no evidence Gunga is used as a racial slur’, said despite the change he hopes pupils continue to study the author and poem.