Consultations

CONSULTATION ON HETHERSETT ACADEMY ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY

The Inspiration Trust is consulting on a change to the format of the Music Aptitude Test for Hethersett Academy. The following change is proposed:

Change from an in-person verbal assessment to an in-person written, group-based aural test

Currently, Hethersett Academy conducts the Music Aptitude Test as an in-person verbal assessment. We are proposing to amend this to:

• An in-person written, group-based aural test
• Delivered to groups of up to 50 pupils at a time
• Lasting approximately 40 minutes
• Consisting entirely of aural questions, with no prior knowledge of music theory required
• Assessing aptitude through questions on pitch, melody, texture, and rhythm

All other aspects of the Music Aptitude Place process, including the number of places allocated (up to 10% of PAN), will remain unchanged.

Please read the following documents before responding:

Hethersett Academy 2027 Entry Consultation Letter

Hethersett Academy Admissions Policy Sept 2027 entry

The consultation period runs from Monday 1st December 2025 until Sunday 18th January 2026. You can give your views on the proposed arrangements in the following ways:

• Completing the online response form
• Emailing: governance@inspirationtrust.org quoting ‘Hethersett Academy consultation admissions 2027 entry’ in the subject header
• Writing to: Head of Governance, Inspiration Trust Central Offices, Hall Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2PW

At the end of the consultation period, the Inspiration Trust Board of Trustees will meet to consider all responses received by the closing date. They will carefully review all feedback and take this into account when making their final decision.

Admission arrangements for 2027 entry will be determined by the 28th February 2026 and will be published on the academy website by the 15th March 2026.

Please note that any changes made to comply with the mandatory law of the School Admissions Code and School Admissions Appeal Code are exempt from comment.

Recent Consultations

Proposed Admission Arrangements

Please find the outcome following the recent consultation on admission arrangements for September 2025 entry:

Admission Authority Consultation Outcome Letter

Expansion of Physical Capacity at Hethersett Academy:

The Inspiration Trust consulted on the proposal to increase the physical capacity at Hethersett Academy. The responses were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposed change. The Inspiration Trust Board of Trustees considered the consultation responses against the case for change and decided to proceed with a formal request to the Department for Education (DfE) to increase the physical capacity. The DfE have approved this request. The change will result in a new three-storey teaching block. The building will accommodate 12 new classrooms. The build will be funded by the Local Authority.