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Visual Arts Aptitude
As we are passionate about visual art education at The Hewett Academy and the Inspiration Trust, we allocate up to 10% of places available within Year 7 entry (15 places) to children who demonstrate an aptitude for visual arts at The Hewett Academy. Children who wish to be considered for an aptitude place will sit a visual arts aptitude test.
September 2026 entry:
The application round opens on Thursday 11th September 2025.
The application form for a visual arts aptitude place must be completed by Friday 26th September 2025. Only application forms fully received by midnight on Friday 26th September 2025 will be accepted.
Please complete one online application form for each child for a visual arts 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 Visual Arts Aptitude Online Application FormInspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Downloadable Application Form
All children who submit a completed form by the deadline will be invited to a visual arts aptitude test on Wednesday 8th October 2025. The test is designed not to determine the child's current visual art ability, but their aptitude for learning visual arts in the future, with a threshold having been set to determine qualification for consideration for a place.
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Test:
There will be a drawing test, taken with other children, and is approximately 60 minutes in duration. There are no practice papers for the test. The drawing test will be assessed against the following two criteria:
Technical Skill:
The Hewett Academy Head of Art will consider how effectively the applicant is able to visually record, from first hand observation, using the following formal art elements: line; tone; shape; form; pattern and texture. Compositional understanding and decisions will also be assessed.
Maximum mark: 20 points.
Exploring Materials:
The Hewett Academy Head of Art will consider how creatively and confidently the applicant is able to use and manipulate the limited media available to create something new. Also considered will be the applicant’s ability to incorporate ‘mistakes’ into the overall design.
Maximum mark: 20 points.
The test does not require any previous knowledge of art theory or art history. The highest mark a child can gain is 40 and the threshold to determine consideration for a place is 29.
If more than 15 children meet the threshold set, random allocation supervised by someone who is independent of the academy will be used to determine which 15 children have qualified for consideration for a place.
Parents and carers will be notified by the academy of the result of the visual arts aptitude test by Friday 17th October 2025. This is in advance of the normal admission round application closing date on Friday 31st October 2025. If the child scores enough marks to be considered for a place, The Hewett Academy must be named as a preference when completing the Common Application Form (CAF).
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Online Application Form
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Downloadable Application Form
September 2027 entry:
The application round opens on Friday 11th September 2026.
The application form for a visual arts aptitude place must be completed by Friday 25th September 2026. Only application forms fully received by midnight on Friday 25th September 2026 will be accepted.
Please complete one online application form for each child for a visual arts 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 Visual Arts Aptitude Online Application FormInspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Downloadable Application Form
All children who submit a completed form by the deadline will be invited to a visual arts aptitude test on Wednesday 7th October 2026. The test is designed not to determine the child's current visual art ability or achievement, but their aptitude for learning visual arts 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 visual arts aptitude test by Friday 16th October 2026. This is in advance of the normal admission round application closing date on Saturday 31st October 2026. If the child scores enough marks to be considered for a place, The Hewett Academy must be named as a preference when completing the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF).
WHAT IS A ‘VISUAL ARTS APTITUDE PLACE’?
As we are passionate about art at The Hewett Academy and the Inspiration Trust, we allocate up to 10% of places available within PAN for Year 7 entry (15 places) to children who demonstrate an aptitude for visual arts at The Hewett Academy. Children who wish to be considered for an aptitude place will sit a visual arts aptitude test.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A VISUAL ARTS APTITUDE PLACE?
Anyone seeking entry for a child into Year 7 at the academy through the standard admissions process.
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Test:
WHERE WILL I NEED TO GO TO TAKE THE TEST?
The Hewett Academy
When will the test take place?
Wednesday 7th October 2026
How long does the test take?
The test takes approximately 60 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. The test is administered by a member of Hewett Academy staff. Usually this will be the Hewett Academy Head of Art. When you receive your appointment details, the adults expected to be present will be listed.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING?
- A pencil or pen
- Any medical information or equipment if required (e.g. inhaler)
- A water bottle (optional)
Your child does not need any art equipment. 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 visual arts 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 complete the test
- Breaks during the test
- Use of assistive technology
What is the test like?
The test is delivered in an informal and relaxed environment. There will be a drawing test, taken with other children. There are no practice papers for the test. The drawing test will be assessed against the following two criteria:
Technical Skill:
The Hewett Academy Head of Art will consider how effectively the applicant is able to visually record, from first hand observation, using the following formal art elements: line; tone; shape; form; pattern and texture. Compositional understanding and decisions will also be assessed.
Maximum mark: 20 points.
Exploring Materials:
The Hewett Academy Head of Art will consider how creatively and confidently the applicant is able to use and manipulate the limited media available to create something new. Also considered will be the applicant’s ability to incorporate ‘mistakes’ into the overall design.
Maximum mark: 20 points.
The test does not require any previous knowledge of art theory or art history. The highest mark a child can gain is 40 and the threshold to determine consideration for a place is 29.
What happens after the test?
15 Visual Arts Aptitude places will be offered.
If more than 15 children meet the threshold set, then 15 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 visual arts 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, The Hewett Academy must be named as a preference when completing the Common Application Form (CAF).
How do I apply for a Visual arts Aptitude Test?
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Online Application Form
Inspiration Trust Visual Arts Aptitude Downloadable Application Form
