Standards and Testing Agency - Statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 - Engagement opportunity
Department for EducationEstimated Value
Up to £1
Deadline
Not specified
Published
18 March 2026
Type
Not specified
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.
Additional details
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
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Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Mclaren Construction Limited
4 contracts wonlatest 6 Oct 2026ends 9 May 2031£22bn
total awarded
- 2
Kings College London
£18m
total awarded
- 3
Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited
4 contracts wonlatest 25 Aug 2026£22bn
total awarded
- 4
Bloom Procurement Services Ltd
4 contracts wonlatest 17 Jan 2026£171,768
total awarded
- 5
Mott MacDonald Limited
3 contracts wonlatest 1 Oct 2026ends 31 May 2029£4m
total awarded
Mclaren Construction Limited is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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Buyer Profile
Department for EducationKey Dates
Published
18 March 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
planning
Source
find a tender
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