Chiswick School, London W4 3UN
Every year 10 music scholarship places (total year 7 admission number is 240) are awarded to students who show the most musical potential and qualify for pupil premium funding. These places are offered regardless of distance from home to school (main criteria for the remaining 230 places).
Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London W4 3UN
Telephone 020 8747 0031
Email music@chiswickschool.org
Located in the London Borough of Hounslow
www.chiswickschool.org
Chiswick School is very proud to be a finalist in the UK SOMO (Social Mobility Awards), School / College of the Year.
Chiswick School’s scholarship programme includes:
- A priority place at Chiswick School, regardless of catchment area.
- A half hour instrumental or singing lesson each week, 100% of which is paid for by the school in the first year and then reviewed each year.
- Theory of music classes before school.
- Membership of the school choir and/or orchestra.
Chiswick School’s Year 7 Music Aptitude Test is designed to identify pupils with musical potential, whether they are already studying an instrument or not. ‘If your child has a passion for music, we encourage you to apply’. Chiswick School are the only school in the UK to offer a pupil-premium-only MAT test that guarantees free lessons alongside a guaranteed place at the school.
Up to 10 music scholarship places are reserved for those children in receipt of the pupil premium and identified by the school as having scored highest in the school’s music assessment. If you wish to be considered for this please see information on the school website: www.chiswickschool.org/key-information/admissions and click here to complete the application form.
Students selected for the programme are expected to fully commit to their musical education. This includes regularly practising their chosen instrument, arriving at school early on certain days, and giving up lunch breaks on others. The programme emphasises developing practical skills and deepening musical understanding, with a focus on developing skills in a chosen instrument or voice, ensemble playing, pitch recognition, and music theory. Students are also encouraged to join bands and participate in a range of performances.
The assessment lasting 30 minutes, evaluates pitch perception, rhythm/pulse sense, musical awareness and sensitivity. There is no need for candidates to prepare anything or bring an instrument as the test is conducted entirely vocally (vocal quality is not assessed). The assessment will be conducted with a group of students. If your child already sings or plays an instrument and they wish to bring it with them they are welcome to and should prepare a one minute piece of their choice. The tests for Year 7 entry in September 2026 will take place on Thursday 9th October at 10.00am. To apply, please submit your application by 12 noon on Friday 3rd October 2025, by clicking here.
Please click here for a list of schools in London that use the Music Aptitude Test as part of their secondary transfer process.