Haberdashers’ Hatcham College and Prendergast School are popular choices for families applying to secondary schools in South London through musical aptitude.
Many SE22 Piano School students apply to one or both schools. Although Hatcham and Prendergast operate separately, they share the first-round aural-test result when a girl applies under the music criterion to both.
For September 2027 entry, Hatcham will run the shared first-round test on Saturday 26 September 2026.
If your child is preparing for the Habs and Prendergast Music Aptitude Test, book a specialist one-to-one preparation lesson on Zoom. We tailor each lesson to the individual child and the school or schools to which they are applying.
How does the shared Habs and Prendergast test work?
Haberdashers’ Hatcham College admits boys and girls. Prendergast School admits girls at Year 7.
However, girls applying under the music criterion to both schools sit the initial aural test only once at Hatcham College. Hatcham then sends the result to Prendergast School.
This arrangement does not make the schools an admissions consortium. Therefore, parents must complete the application required by each school. Applying to Hatcham does not automatically create an application to Prendergast, or vice versa.
In addition, the shared arrangement only covers the first-round aural-test result. If an applicant reaches the next stage, families should follow the separate instructions that Hatcham and Prendergast send them.
Habs Music Aptitude Test dates for 2027 entry
Haberdashers’ Hatcham College has published the following timetable:
- Tuesday 1 September 2026: Pan-London opens secondary transfer applications.
- Monday 21 September 2026 at 4pm: Hatcham closes its Music Specialism applications.
- By Thursday 24 September 2026: Hatcham emails the aural-test invitations.
- Saturday 26 September 2026: Hatcham runs the Music Aptitude Test at its Jerningham site.
- By Friday 2 October 2026: Hatcham tells applicants whether they have progressed to the audition stage.
- Weeks beginning Monday 5 and Monday 12 October 2026: Hatcham holds its music auditions.
- By the end of October 2026: Hatcham informs applicants of the outcome of the music assessment.
- Saturday 31 October 2026: Pan-London closes secondary transfer applications. However, Hatcham recommends submitting the application by Monday 26 October.
Girls applying to both Hatcham and Prendergast will sit the shared first-round test at Hatcham on 26 September.
Meanwhile, parents applying to Prendergast should check Prendergast’s own application deadline and any additional instructions from the school. The dates above come from Hatcham College’s published information.
Hatcham does not consider distance from the school under its music-aptitude criterion.
You can find the latest information on the schools’ websites:
What does the Habs Music Aptitude Test include?
Hatcham College describes its first-round assessment as a 60-question multiple-choice aural test. The paper contains three equal sections:
- Pitch and melody
- Instruments and texture
- Rhythm, metre and tempo
Applicants do not need previous knowledge of music or music theory. Hatcham assesses each child’s aural response and does not consider music certificates or references.
However, this does not mean that preparation is unnecessary. Children may have very different strengths across the three sections. In addition, even children who sing or play an instrument may not recognise the way the test presents its questions.
For example, a child may feel confident with rhythm but find instrumental families more difficult. Another child may hear changes in pitch accurately but hesitate when answering melody questions.
Children also benefit from developing their listening skills beyond test-style exercises. Our article on musical listening in children’s development explains why regular exposure to different instruments, styles and musical textures matters.
As a result, a one-to-one assessment can use the remaining preparation time more effectively. If your child would benefit from individual guidance, book a focused Music Aptitude Test lesson on Zoom. We assess the individual child, identify the areas that need attention and suggest clear priorities for further work.
Preparing for Habs and Prendergast with SE22 Piano School
SE22 Piano School has many years of experience preparing children for Music Aptitude Tests and music-scholarship auditions in South London and throughout the UK.
We adapt each lesson according to:
- the child’s current listening skills;
- the requirements that the chosen school has published;
- the areas that require the most attention;
- the time available before the assessment;
- any later instrumental or vocal audition.
In addition, our online lessons allow children to prepare from home during the summer holidays. You can read more about our August Music Aptitude Test preparation lessons.
Musical development also extends beyond lessons and practice papers. Our article on why live concerts matter for music aptitude development explores how children learn to recognise melody, rhythm, instrumental colour and musical texture through live performance.
For more detailed information about the three sections of the test, the shared arrangement and previous candidate guidance, read our complete Habs and Prendergast Music Aptitude Test guide.
Habs and Prendergast music auditions
Hatcham College invites its highest-scoring first-round applicants to a music audition.
However, the school does not currently publish a fixed number of candidates or complete details of the audition format. Applicants should follow the current instructions in their invitation rather than relying on information from previous admissions years.
Prendergast runs its own later-stage assessment. Therefore, a girl applying to both schools may receive separate instructions from Hatcham and Prendergast if she progresses beyond the shared first-round test.
Finally, if your child is preparing for the aural test or a later audition, book a specialist one-to-one Zoom lesson with SE22 Piano School.
Best of luck to all our students applying to Habs and Prendergast this year.
