--- title: "Standards and Testing Agency - Statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 - Engagement opportunity" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066e22" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e22" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e22.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e22.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2026-03-18" --- # Standards and Testing Agency - Statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3 - Engagement opportunity Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066e22 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e22) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e22.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the development and delivery of a new statutory reading assessment in Key Stage 3, as part of the Standards and Testing Agency's commitment following the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review. This engagement opportunity aims to explore potential delivery models for the test, scheduled to begin in 2028. The department, situated in London, seeks to engage with interested organisations via 1:1 sessions planned for the week commencing 30th March, with additional slots possibly available in the week commencing 13th April. Interested parties should apply through the Jaggaer portal before the deadline of 27th March 2026. The procurement method involves a preliminary market engagement notice published on Find a Tender, indicating the industry category is focused on education and administrative educational services. This procurement process presents significant opportunities for businesses in the education and training sectors, particularly those with innovative delivery models. SMEs and VCSEs, especially those with expertise in assessment development and educational services, are well-suited to compete for this contract. Participating in the early discussions could provide insights into potential contract spend and influence the future direction of the project. With the procurement valued modestly at £1, the engagement sessions offer a platform to explore and potentially expand one's business footprint in collaboration with a central government authority. ## Notice 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 ### Planning Information Please apply via the Jaggaer portal - Click "view Opportunities" create an account if needed, then select this opportunity to apply. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024840-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 18 Oct 2027 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 19 Jan 2028 - 18 Mar 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 75121000 - Administrative educational services - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 18 Mar 2026 at 16:57 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024840-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024840-2026 18th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e22. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e22.json.