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Standards and Testing Agency - Statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 - Engagement opportunity

Department for Education · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 3 Oct 2026, 17:22.

Opportunity overview

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 further details and to arrange a 1:1 please express your interest in this via the Jaggaer portal www.education.app.jaggaer.com

Classification

  • CPV75121000 — Administrative educational services
  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-066e22
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
No
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Communication

Future Notice Date
18 Oct 2027, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
19 Jan 2028, 00:00
Ends
18 Mar 2029, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
80000000
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
75121000
Description
Administrative educational services

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
Please apply via the Jaggaer portal - Click "view Opportunities" create an account if needed, then select this opportunity to apply.
Due
27 Mar 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
024840-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
18 Mar 2026, 16:57
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Department for Education
Id
GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PDZG-3487-DPVD

Address

Street Address
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P3BT
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI32

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1P3BT · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 024840-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·