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Leadership

Mrs Melrose has worked in London prep schools for over 20 years, including eight as a Head at Broomwood Hall.

A graduate from University College, Durham University, Mrs Melrose has also been a longstanding school governor and has a wealth of academic and school management experience.

She has taught in a variety of independent and state schools across the age ranges. Married to Drew, she has two children, and they enjoy exploring London and travelling in the school holidays.

Headmistress, Alison Melrose

Location and facilities

Prince's Gardens Preparatory School offers what we believe are the best indoor and outdoor prep school facilities in central London.

Prince's Gardens Preparatory School is comprised of four spacious Grade II listed townhouses in Kensington and is in close proximity to Hyde Park, with world-renowned museums and galleries on our doorstep.

Our school is also home to the very latest technology including access to multi-purpose areas like our Maker Space, an innovative learning environment that stimulates children to create and share their learning with materials they choose.

Maker Space

With great imaginations and access to a wide range of resources and technology, there really is no limit to what our children can achieve.

Children will buzz with ideas during their dedicated sessions in the Maker Space. Personalised learning is brought to life with children choosing how they develop their ideas and problem solve.

From green screen technology to 3D printing, craft and construction to coding, the Maker Space allows creativity to develop and flourish. Children learn how to use technology safely and develop key communication and collaborative skills for the future.

Prince's Garden Preparatory School
Maker Space
Nursery classroom
The school benefits from direct access to:
  • A large 2-acre secret garden
  • Multi-sports spaces on site
  • Access to outstanding facilities at Imperial College's 'Ethos' sports centre
  • State of the art science labs
  • Well-equipped music and art studios
  • Strong links with educational institutions including Imperial College, the Royal College of Music and the London School of Mathematics
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour
Take the full tour

Virtual Tour

We know there is nothing quite like visiting us in person, but in these uncertain and often changing times, we have done all we can to ensure everyone who would like to take a tour of our school still can virtually.

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone physically soon, but in the meantime, please view our tour.

Go full screen to explore the highlights and immerse yourself in all Prince's Gardens Preparatory School has to offer.

Click on the button in the bottom right to go fullscreen

Voice of the parent

Our 'Voice of Parent' programme allows our parents to provide ongoing feedback which we use to make continuous improvements to our school.

This programme is pivotal in enabling us to continually understand our parents' experiences and views and better our offering.

2020 was a tough year for everyone so we were very pleased to receive some wonderful feedback regarding our online learning resources.

‘The communication from the school has been first class; clear, concise and regular. They have been ahead of the game at every step.’ - Prince's Gardens parent

‘The changes and adjustments made in reaction to the everchanging government policy have been speedy and well-thought out. Considering how difficult it is to plan ahead under those circumstances, I think the school has shown tremendous strength in the operations.’ - Prince's Gardens parent

We received lovely feedback about our teachers and the school. We have worked hard to create a welcoming and friendly environment here at Price's Gardens and were delighted that so many of our parents and children have noticed. The feedback has highlighted the how happy the children are and how enthusiastic and dedicated our teachers are.

‘Leadership and staff are all very involved and caring. PGP has a family feel (to) it.’ - Prince's Gardens parent

‘All the staff are lovely; the Teachers are great and (our child) is more engaged than he has ever been.’ - Prince's Gardens parent

‘We have been so impressed by the feel and dedication of all the staff and teachers - their enthusiasm and ability to create a fun, relaxed but focused environment has been wonderful to watch.’ - Prince's Gardens parent

Here at Prince's Gardens, we are very proud to be able to offer the opportunity for outdoor learning in our two-acre garden and to be on the doorstep to Hyde Park, another incredible environment for children to explore. We were delighted to see, through feedback, that these amazing resources are also very important to our parents, whose children have a safe space for active learning, creative outdoor play and can build an understanding of the natural world.

Destination schools

Our expert teachers have close relationships with the leading day schools in London and further afield, ensuring a smooth transition to the next stage of our pupils' education.

The school's curriculum ensures rigorous preparation for 11+ entrance exams and assessments and the next stage of education. From Year 4, this includes timetabled lessons in verbal and non-verbal reasoning and current affairs and from Year 6, critical thinking, interview practice and a scholarship seminar programme.

The Headmistress meets regularly with parents to help guide them on choosing the senior school where their child will flourish and holds an annual 11+ information evening.

More on 11+ Preparation

In our first year at Prince's Gardens we had a very small Year 6 cohort who should all be congratulated on receiving offers from their first choice schools.

This excellent outcome reflects the academic and creative talent across the year group and proves how dedicated both our students and teachers have been to achieving their very best.

Our five leavers were offered places at the following schools:

Hastings, Madrid*
Heathfield School
More House Girls School
North Bridge House Canonbury*
Queen's Gate School
St George's School, Ascot
St James's Girls School

Staff and parents work closely to discuss their child's future education and choose a selection of excellent schools for every pupil. We believe that success is more than academic achievement but is about every child realising and being supported in finding their potential. We understand the importance in considering the strengths and characters of each and every child, and finding an environment in which they will thrive.

*School within the Cognita family

Community links

Being in such close proximity to some of the world's best educational and cultural institutions, we have formed great working relationships with key educators, enabling our young learners to access resources and support.


We hope to continually develop our biophilic School project with local plant scientists, architects and designers, to deepen the exceptional benefits this approach can afford our pupils and staff.

We are pleased to have developed good relationships with the local community, including the Knightsbridge Association and Community Liaison Group, and through regular meetings with them, we have developed a travel booklet designed to help us be good neighbours.

The Science Museum, a 5-minute walk from the school

Next: Curriculum

Innovative teaching, superb facilities and a broad, exciting curriculum will help our pupils thrive.

More on Curriculum

Prince's Gardens is part of the Cognita family of schools