Closed tender

STA - Statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 - Engagement opportunity

Details

Published
19 March 2026
Submission
27 March 2026

Tender description

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE) responsible for developing and delivering national curriculum assessments in England. Following the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, the DfE has committed to delivering a new statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 by 2028/2029. The purpose of this notice is to inform the market of the STA’s intention to undertake early, explorative market engagement. STA is considering and open to a range of delivery models and will be arranging 1:1s with interested and capable organisations to discuss potential delivery approaches with the market. These sessions will provide an opportunity for dialogue with organisations to discuss the possibilities for the development and delivery of this test within the planned timeframe. Any information regarding feasibility, timescales and a broad indication of the level of contract spend is extremely helpful for us at this stage. Discussion around potential delivery models will also help to inform the direction of this work. 1:1 meetings will be held w/c 30th March. Slots for the 1:1s will be available to sign up to immediately via Jaggaer. There may be an opportunity to open further sessions in the w/c 13th April if all slots are filled in the first week. For details on how to arrange a 1:1 please express your interest in this opportunity and view the message area.

Timeline

  1. Completed: Tender published19 March 2026
    Current notice
  2. Completed: Submission date27 March 2026

About the buyer

The Department for Education is a ministerial department responsible for children's services and education policy in England, procuring both for itself and its executive agencies. Framework purchases follow the matching Crown Commercial Service terms. Many contracts are let on standard government terms, such as Cabinet Office short-form or model services agreements. Schools and academy trusts buy separately, using framework options the department reviews and approves in advance.

Over the past 5 years, most of the Department for Education's contract awards have been in business services, construction work and education and training.

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