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Kent Test (11+) Examination Services

Kent County Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

01 Oct 2026 at 13:57

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

19 Jun 2026 at 11:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

19 Jun 2026 at 10:36

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

10 Jun 2026 at 15:58

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council’s Kent Test (11+) assessment service supports secondary-school admissions across Kent. The provider is responsible for developing and producing test materials, securely distributing them, administering the assessment, marking responses, processing results and providing related operational support. This is an education assessment service (CPV 80100000), rather than a general school teaching contract. Delivery is countywide in Kent. The requirement brings together secure examination production and logistics with assessment administration, marking and results systems, all serving the council’s secondary-school placement process.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Atom Learning Limited, trading as Quest Assessments. The award was made on 30 September 2026, at £758,000 excluding VAT (£909,600 including VAT). The contract runs from 2 November 2026 to 31 October 2028, with two optional one-year extensions, subject to requirements and performance, allowing a maximum end date of 31 October 2030. It was run as an above-threshold competitive flexible procedure, using an initial participation and selection stage followed by tender evaluation and price assessment. There was one lot. Quality accounted for 95% of the scored criteria: test format and implementation plan (45%), digital marking and software (30%), marking, familiarisation materials and standardisation (20%); social value accounted for 5%. Three bids reached the final stage.

For suppliers considering similar assessment work for Kent County Council, this award shows demand for an end-to-end 11+ testing operation, not simply test writing or software. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate secure, reliable production and distribution of examination materials; a workable countywide administration plan; robust marking and results-processing capability; and digital marking software that meets defined requirements. The evaluation gave most weight to test format and implementation, followed by digital marking and software, so suppliers need evidence across both operational delivery and technology. Capacity to handle a countywide assessment and protect the admissions timetable is central to the requirement. The selected supplier was a large business, although the lot was marked suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises; three suppliers reached the final stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Kent Test (11+) Examination Services

Notice Description

Kent County Council intends to appoint a provider for the provision of services to support the development, production, administration and delivery of countywide Kent Test (11+) assessment process, including test material production, secure distribution, marking, results processing, and associated operational support for Kent County Council's secondary school admissions process. The contract will commence on 2nd November 2026, for an initial period of two years, with up to two optional 12 months extensions up to 1st November 2030 with an estimated value of PS835.000. Above threshold procurement using Competitive Flexible procedure (PA2023)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 2 x 1 year extension options, subject to requirements and performance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b227
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092874-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£835,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£758,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
4 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Atom Learning Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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