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Musical Aptitude

September 2025 entry:

The application round is now closed. Applications for 2026 entry will open in early September 2025. Please complete one online application form for each child for a musical aptitude place (or you can complete and return a paper application). The application form must be completed by Wednesday 2nd October 2024. Only application forms fully received by midnight on Wednesday 2nd October 2024 will be accepted.

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 Musical Aptitude Application Form – online

Inspiration Trust Musical Aptitude Application Form – paper copy

All children who submit a completed form by the deadline will be invited to a musical aptitude test on Monday 7th October 2024. The test is designed not to determine the child's current musical ability, but their aptitude for learning music in the future, with a threshold having been set to determine qualification for consideration for a place.

What is a ‘Musical Aptitude Place’?

As we are passionate about music education at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy and the Inspiration Trust, we allocate up to 10% of places available within PAN for Year 7 entry (17 places) to children who demonstrate an aptitude for Music at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy. Children who wish to be considered for an aptitude place will sit a musical 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?

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy

When will the test take place?

On Monday 7th October 2024

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 Music of the academy. When you receive your appointment details, the adults expected to be present will be listed.

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.

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’)

What happens after the test?

17 Music Aptitude Places will be offered.

If more than 17 children meet the threshold set, then 17 names will be selected using the ‘Tie Break’ criteria in the admissions policy.

Parents and carers will be notified by the academy of the result of the musical aptitude test by 18th October 2024. This is in advance of the normal admission round application closing date on 31st October 2024. If the child scores enough marks to be considered for a place,

Great Yarmouth Charter 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?