Musical Aptitude

September 2027 Entry:

The application round opens on Friday 11th September 2026.

The application form for a music aptitude place must be completed by Friday 2nd October 2026. Only application forms fully received by midnight on Friday 2nd October 2026 will be accepted. 

Please complete one online application form for each child for a music aptitude place (or you can complete and return a paper application).

The application form will only be used to make the arrangements for the test and will play no part when the applications of those meeting the threshold are processed and places allocated.

Inspiration Trust Music Aptitude Application Form – online 

Inspiration Trust Music Aptitude Application Form – paper copyAll children who submit a completed form by the deadline will be invited to a music aptitude test on week beginning 12th October 2026. The test is designed not to determine the child's current musical ability or achievement, but their aptitude for learning music in the future, with a threshold having been set to determine qualification for consideration for a place. 

Parents and carers will be notified by the academy of the result of the music aptitude test by Friday 16th October 2026. This is in advance of the normal admission round application closing date on 31st October 2026. If the child scores enough marks to be considered for a place, King Edward VII Academy must be named as a preference when completing the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF). Dates may be subject to change.

What is a ‘Music Aptitude Place’? 

As we are passionate about music education at King Edward VII Academy and the Inspiration Trust, we allocate up to 5% of places available within the published admission number for Year 7 entry (11 places) to children who demonstrate an aptitude for music at King Edward VII Academy. Children who wish to be considered for a music aptitude place will sit a music aptitude test.

Is a ‘Music Scholarship’ the same as a ‘Musical Aptitude Place’? 

No. However, pupils who gain entry to the academy into Year 7 at the beginning of an academic year via a Music Aptitude Place are also offered a Music Scholarship. 

Music Scholarships offer fully funded music lessons and many more opportunities. They are awarded after school places are confirmed. Pupils securing a place at the school via a Music Aptitude Place will also be offered a Music Scholarship. For those gaining a place at the academy by other means, there are additional opportunities to apply for a music scholarship, dependent on availability of spaces. 

Who can apply for a Music Aptitude Place? 

Anyone seeking entry for a child into Year 7 at the academy through the standard admissions process. 

Inspiration Trust Music Aptitude Test: 

Where will I need to go to take the test? 

King Edward VII Academy

When will the test take place? 

Week commencing 12th October 2026 

How long does the test take? 

The test takes approximately 15 minutes. You will be given an appointment time and will be asked to arrive a few minutes early. 

Who will be there? 

Tests are taken in-person by one child at a time. The test is administered by two members of staff. Usually this will be the Inspiration Trust’s Director of Music, and the Head of Performing Arts at the academy. When you receive your appointment details, the adults expected to be present will be listed. 

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING?  

• Any medical information or equipment if required (e.g. inhaler) 
• A water bottle (optional) 

Your child does not need any musical instruments or music books. All necessary materials will be provided. 

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, A DISABILITY, OR A MEDICAL CONDITION? 

We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure all children can demonstrate their musical aptitude fairly. Please indicate on the application form if your child requires any adjustments, and we will contact you to discuss appropriate arrangements. These should be reasonable adjustments which your child routinely accesses in their current educational setting. We may request evidence of these adjustments from your child's school to ensure consistency and appropriateness. 

Examples of reasonable adjustments might include: 

• Extra time to respond to questions 
• Breaks during the test 

What is the test like? 

The test is delivered in an informal and relaxed environment. Pupils give their response to the teachers entirely verbally. No written answers are required. In order to test the child’s musical aptitude, the teachers will play or sing short pieces of music and ask the candidate to give simple responses to the music played. Candidates are expected to respond primarily by speaking, singing, clapping and raising a hand, for example. The test does not require any prior knowledge of music theory, or any written responses.

Questions will be asked in the following groups: 

Rhythm, Pulse and Metre 

• Clapping the pulse, stressing the strong beat 
• Identifying the metre (counting beats) 
• Clapping back a rhythm 
• Finishing a given rhythm 
• Identifying changes in rhythms (spotting the difference) 

Pitch 

• Identifying which of a group of notes is the highest or lowest in pitch 
• Singing back a short melody 
• Finishing a given melody 
• Identifying changes to melodies (spotting the difference) 

Dynamics and Articulation 

• Identifying whether music is loud or soft (dynamics), whether it is smooth or disjointed (articulation) 
• Identifying changes to dynamics and articulation 

Texture 

• Identifying how many notes are played at once in a chord (up to four notes) 
• Describing changing texture (getting ‘thicker’ or ‘thinner’) 

The test does not require any previous knowledge of musical theory. The highest mark a child can gain is 65 and the threshold to determine consideration for a place is 33. 

What happens after the test? 

11 Music Aptitude places will be offered. 

If more than 11 children meet the threshold set, then 11 names will be selected based on their aptitude test scores, with the highest scores being offered places. If two or more children have identical scores for the final place(s), the general tie-break criterion (distance from school measured in a straight line) will be applied. 

Parents and carers will be notified by the academy of the result of the musical aptitude test by 16th October 2026. This is in advance of the normal admission round application closing date on 31st October 2026. If the child scores enough marks to be considered for a place. 

King Edward VII Academy must be named as a preference when completing the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF). 

How do I apply for a music aptitude test?

Inspiration Trust Musical Aptitude Application Form - online

Inspiration Trust Musical Aptitude Application Form - paper copy

Admissions Policy for September 2027 Entry

September 2026 Admissions