Arts and Language Specialisms
You can find out more about our Art and Languages Specialist Programme here.
If you want your child to be considered for an arts or languages specialist place, they will need to take the relevant Chestnut Grove specialist test. The Art and MFL specialist test day will take place on a Saturday 19th September 2026, between 9am - 1pm. The specialist test day is scheduled to give us plenty of time to mark and moderate the tests and contact you ahead of the application deadline. This means you will know how well your child has done on the specialist test before you apply for a place at the school.
If you want your child to be considered for an arts or languages specialist place,you will need to complete the sign up form by midday Friday 11th September 2026. All Art and Language applicants will receive an email inviting them to sit the test by Tuesday 14th September 2026.
If you would like to apply for a specialist place for your child, please use this form: Application for a specialism in Art & Design or Modern Foreign Languages - 2027 Entry
What do the tests involve?
Art and Design: Applicants are required to attend the school on a designated selection day, where they will complete a practical drawing task to demonstrate their observational drawing skills, creativity, and ability to create a strong composition using the formal elements of art. All materials will be provided by the school, and the completed work will be assessed by the Art Department.
Languages: Applicants are required to attend the school on the designated selection day and are given a series of tests designed to test their aptitude for languages. Applicants do NOT need to have studied a language before; the test assesses aptitude through linguistic skills, such as oral and aural communication and memory. Marks across a series of written and listening tests are aggregated to form a final mark.
How are specialist places allocated?
Applicants who score 40% or above in the specialist tests are ranked by score. The top 30 students in each specialism will be the first students eligible for specialist places when final school applications are submitted. If a student in the top 30 identifies Chestnut Grove Academy as first preference on the Pan-London admissions form they will be guaranteed a place at Chestnut Grove Academy.
Any remaining applicants who scored above 40%, but are not in the top 30, will be placed on a ranked order waiting list. These students may be offered a specialist place if one becomes available after applications have been submitted, so identifying us as your preference on the Pan-London admissions form will mean you will still be considered for a specialist place if any of the top 30 students do not take up their offer.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to still apply to the school even if your child is not initially offered a specialist place, as spaces often become available later.
Applicants who score below 40% in the specialist tests are not placed on the waitlist but can still apply for a general place at Chestnut Grove Academy and will need to complete the Wandsworth Test.
