Planning

Kent Test (11+) Examination Services

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Dec 2025 at 12:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

04 Dec 2025 at 10:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Dec 2025 at 16:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council is planning a procurement exercise for the Kent Test (11+) Examination Services, as recently updated on 4th December 2025. This procedure, set to identify the top 25% of candidates for grammar school admission, falls under the primary education services category. The Council, located in Maidstone, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning stage, with market engagement expressions of interest due by 12 pm on 17th December 2025. There is a planned engagement event on 18th December 2025, providing potential providers an opportunity to discuss the services needed, valued at a gross amount of £835,000. The procurement process is classified as a "lightTouch" regime and is above threshold, indicating a significant contract opportunity.

Businesses specialising in educational assessment services have a prime opportunity to expand by participating in this tender. Suitable providers should be capable of administering tests to approximately 20,000 candidates and have experience with large-scale examination systems. Companies that successfully compete could secure a contract period starting from 1st March 2027 to 28th February 2029, with potential renewal. The procurement process allows for increased visibility and engagement within the public sector, particularly for businesses looking to increase their presence in the UK education industry.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Kent Test (11+) Examination Services

Notice Description

Kent County Council (the Council) currently runs a process which aims, principally through testing to identify candidates in the top 25% of the ability range as eligible for admission to Year 7 of any of the county's grammar schools at age 11. Entry to the process is voluntary, with approximately 67% of the local cohort opting to take part, plus a significant number of external candidates. Provision is currently made for approximately 20,000 candidates. KCC wishes to engage the market to discuss a potential procurement exercise to appoint a suitable provider to deliver Kent wide 11+ Examination Services. Interested providers should register their interest by 12pm 17th December 2025, together with a completed Market Engagement Questionnaire. The event will take place on 18th December 2025 (approximately 10 am). Meeting invites will be sent out upon receipt of your EOI and completed questionnaire. Access Code for this opportunity: 726A789ZA6 If you have any questions and/or queried please contact orla.miller@kent.gov.uk To view this notice, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=998900639

Planning Information

Expressions of interest and completed Market Engagement Questionnaires are to be received by 12 pm 17th December 2025. Invites to the even will be sent out upon receipt of the EOIs and completed questionnaires. The provisional date for the event is 10 am 18th December 2025, but this may be subject to change dependent on availability of participants.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ee2e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079694-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80100000 - Primary education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£835,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Dec 2025Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Dec 20252 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 28 Feb 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Orla Miller
Contact Email
orla.miller@kent.gov.uk
Contact Phone
03000 416375

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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