Cameron Vale School Review 2026: Intimate Chelsea Prep with Family Atmosphere

A rarity in central London, Cameron Vale is a non‑selective, co‑educational independent prep; since 1985 it has been based in a quiet four‑storey townhouse on The Vale, just off King’s Road. Originally Cameron House School, it joined the Forfar Education group in 2020 and rebranded as Cameron Vale. With around 66 pupils aged 2 to 11 across the main school and The Chelsea Nursery, the school offers a distinctive family atmosphere where small class sizes and a tailored, cross-curricular, enquiry-led curriculum enable every child to secure their first-choice senior school.

Fees for 2025/26 range from £9,991 per term for Reception to £10,305 per term for Year 6, excluding lunches but including all transport for sports and forest school. A registration fee of £200 and a refundable deposit of £7,995 for Cameron Vale apply. The school operates a non-selective admissions policy; places are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and families are advised to register at birth. The Chelsea Nursery offers guaranteed progression to Reception. Pupils consistently move on to leading London day schools and boarding schools, including Francis Holland, City of London Boys, Harrodian, Alleyn's, Woldingham, and Emanuel.

The current headmistress, Alison Melrose, joined in January 2023 after founding Prince's Gardens Preparatory School and holding leadership roles across London independent schools. Cameron Vale received Excellent ratings in all areas at its most recent ISI inspection and is registered as a member of ISA and IAPS.

Cameron Vale describes its mission as "Nurturing Success" through five core values supporting personal, social, and spiritual development. The school's ethos centres on close collaboration between children, parents, and staff to create a family atmosphere where everyone knows one another by name. Established in 1985, the school has spent four decades in the heart of Chelsea, retaining a village feel despite its central location.

In 2020, Forfar Education acquired the school and renamed it Cameron Vale, investing in new facilities and extending the nursery provision through a purpose-designed site on Gertrude Street. The school remains proudly non-selective and prides itself on individualised attention and bespoke learning pathways, attracting families who value intimacy and flexibility over large-scale, highly competitive environments.

Leadership is currently in the hands of Alison Melrose, an experienced head with two previous headships and extensive consultancy work in school improvement, marketing, and strategic planning. Her 25 years in London education, including time at Norland Place and Broomwood Hall, inform the school's pragmatic, adaptive approach. Governors and the Forfar board maintain close oversight, with the director involved in day-to-day planning and financial strategy to ensure the school's vision is realised across all aspects of school life.

The atmosphere is intimate and nurturing. Pupils describe the environment as feeling like family, and parents appreciate the accessibility of staff and the absence of competitive pressure at entry. The school's size and structure mean pastoral care is highly personalised, and any concerns are swiftly identified and resolved.

Cameron Vale delivers a curriculum based on the National Curriculum, structured around cross-curricular, enquiry-led themes for all year groups. Core subjects are taught alongside PSHE, reasoning, French, and specialist teaching in sport, music, and languages from Nursery upwards. Art and computing are introduced as discrete subjects from Year 3, and Latin is offered as an option. Chess appears on the timetable from Year 1, swimming from Year 1, and dance from Nursery. Forest School sessions and local outings are embedded in the co-curriculum, leveraging London's museums, galleries, and parks as outdoor classrooms.

Class sizes are exceptionally small, with an average of nine pupils per year group and mixed-age classes where necessary. Specialist teachers lead languages, music, and sport throughout the school. Drama is offered as part of the co-curriculum, and 80 per cent of pupils from Year 3 onwards take individual instrumental lessons. The school's intimate scale allows teachers to tailor learning plans to individual strengths and areas for development.

As an independent school, Cameron Vale does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results, and there are no national performance metrics available. However, the school reports that all pupils exceed the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics at 11-plus, performing well above national averages. The school's 11+ Leavers Programme prepares pupils for selective entry exams to London's leading independent day and boarding schools. First-choice school offers are the norm, and scholarships have been secured at schools including Harrodian, Francis Holland, and Woldingham.

Learning support is provided on an individual basis where required, typically charged separately. The school's small size means additional needs are identified early and addressed through one-to-one or small-group interventions. There are no specialist units, but the non-selective intake and personalised approach allow the school to accommodate a range of learning styles and developmental paces within mainstream provision.

Cameron Vale occupies a four-storey townhouse on a quiet residential street in Chelsea. The premises are described as of extremely high specification, with up-to-date resources and bright, well-appointed classrooms. The Chelsea Nursery has expanded into purpose-designed premises at 1A Gertrude Street, providing dedicated space for the youngest children. While the building itself is modest in footprint, the school makes extensive use of local facilities for sport, including nearby pitches, swimming pools, and sports halls.

Forest School sessions take place regularly, and transport to these sessions and sporting fixtures is included in fees. The school's approach is to treat London as its classroom, giving pupils hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that extend far beyond the school's four walls.

Extracurricular provision includes instrumental music lessons, chess, drama, dance, and a variety of sports. The school offers a small but well-structured programme of clubs and enrichment activities tailored to the size of the cohort. Older pupils benefit from dedicated 11+ preparation, mock exams, and individual coaching for entrance interviews and assessments.

Pastoral care is rated Excellent by ISI. The school's small size means every child is known personally by senior staff, and relationships between pupils, parents, and teachers are described as strong and collaborative. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, and the school maintains an actively welcoming environment where children feel safe and supported.

Cameron Vale operates a non-selective admissions policy. Places are awarded according to availability on a first-come, first-served basis, and families are strongly advised to register their child as early as possible, ideally at birth. Entry is not contingent on assessments, although the school may arrange informal taster sessions for prospective pupils.

The main entry point is Reception, with children typically joining in the September following their fourth birthday. The Chelsea Nursery offers guaranteed progression to Reception for children attending the nursery. Occasional places may become available in older year groups, and the school accepts applications throughout the year. There is a registration fee of £200 and a refundable deposit of £7,995 for the main school.

Admissions pressure is moderate but consistent. The school has a capacity of 120 pupils and currently enrolls around 66, meaning places are available for families willing to commit early. The non-selective model attracts families seeking an alternative to highly competitive preps, including those who prefer smaller, more nurturing environments or whose children may benefit from a less pressured setting.

There is no formal catchment area, but the school draws primarily from Chelsea, Kensington, South Kensington, and adjacent boroughs. Families living within walking distance or a short drive from The Vale form the core of the intake, though a small number travel from further afield.

Scholarships of up to 50 per cent of annual fees are available for outstanding candidates entering at 7+ or 8+, and a bursary programme supports enrolled families facing unexpected financial hardship. Sibling discounts apply for third and fourth children from Reception upwards.

Cameron Vale is a straightforward, no-frills proposition: a small, non-selective independent prep in the heart of Chelsea where every child is known, every family is welcomed, and every leaver secures their first-choice school. It suits families who value intimacy, flexibility, and a nurturing ethos over scale, facilities, or academic intensity at entry. The school's size is both its defining feature and its constraint. There is no large sports hall, no sprawling campus, no extensive co-curricular programme. What there is, however, is a genuine family atmosphere, highly personalised learning, and a track record of preparing children for the next stage with confidence and success.

For parents seeking a traditional prep experience without the selective entry hurdles, Cameron Vale offers a rare opportunity in central London. The school's results speak for themselves: all pupils move on to their chosen schools, and many secure scholarships. The cross-curricular, enquiry-led curriculum and small class sizes allow teachers to respond to individual needs in real time, while the school's location and use of London as a classroom provide rich, hands-on learning experiences that larger schools struggle to match.

The main considerations are practical. The school's capacity is modest, and early registration is essential. Fees are competitive for central London, but families should budget for lunches, any additional learning support, and the refundable deposit. The non-selective intake and nurturing ethos mean the school is ideal for children who thrive in smaller, less pressured environments, but may be less suited to families seeking a large, highly resourced campus or an overtly academic, fast-paced setting from age four.

Cameron Vale is best understood as a community prep. It does what it does very well: it knows its pupils, tailors its curriculum, and delivers first-choice outcomes. For families who prioritise personal attention, a genuine family feel, and a proven track record over brand recognition and extensive facilities, this small Chelsea school offers a compelling, distinctive alternative.

Is Cameron Vale School a good school?

Cameron Vale is a good school for families seeking a small, non-selective, nurturing independent prep in central London. It consistently achieves first-choice school offers for all its leavers, with many securing places and scholarships at leading London day and boarding schools. The school received Excellent ratings across all areas in its most recent ISI inspection, with particular praise for the quality of pupils' personal development, pastoral care, and governance. Small class sizes and a tailored, enquiry-led curriculum enable every child to progress at their own pace, and the school's family atmosphere is valued by pupils and parents alike.

How do I apply to Cameron Vale School?

Cameron Vale operates a non-selective admissions policy, with places awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Families are advised to register their child as early as possible, ideally at birth. The registration fee is £200, and a refundable deposit of £7,995 is required for the main school (£3,000 for The Chelsea Nursery). The main entry point is Reception, with children joining in the September following their fourth birthday. Children attending The Chelsea Nursery have guaranteed progression to Reception. Occasional places may be available in older year groups, and the school accepts applications throughout the year. To begin the process, contact the school directly via 020 7352 4040 or admissions@cameronvaleschool.com, or visit the admissions section of the school's website.

What are the fees at Cameron Vale School?

For 2025/26, fees range from £9,991 per term for Reception to £10,305 per term for Year 6. Fees include VAT, all tuition, textbooks, library books, stationery, and transport to sporting events and forest school, but exclude lunches. There is a registration fee of £200 and a refundable deposit of £7,995 for the main school. Additional charges apply for any one-to-one learning support lessons required. Scholarships of up to 50 per cent of annual fees are available for outstanding candidates entering at 7+ or 8+, and a bursary programme supports families facing unexpected financial hardship. Competitive sibling discounts apply for third and fourth children from Reception upwards.

What are the main destination schools for Cameron Vale leavers?

Cameron Vale leavers move on to a range of leading London independent day and boarding schools. Recent destinations include Francis Holland, City of London Boys, Harrodian, Alleyn's, Woldingham, Emanuel, Dulwich, Wetherby Senior, Queensgate, Benenden, and Thomas's Senior. A small number move on to other preps for 13+, with examples including Sussex House, Newton Prep and Sunningdale. The school's 11+ Leavers Programme prepares pupils thoroughly for selective entry exams, and first-choice offers are the norm. Scholarships have been secured at several of these schools.

Does Cameron Vale School have a nursery?

Yes, Cameron Vale has a nursery called The Chelsea Nursery, which admits children from six months to four years old. The nursery occupies purpose-designed premises at 1A Gertrude Street and is open for 50 weeks of the year. Children attending The Chelsea Nursery have guaranteed progression to Reception at Cameron Vale School. Entry to the nursery is non-selective, and places are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a registration fee of £200 and a refundable deposit of £3,000 for the nursery.