Guidance

Key stage 2: returning test scripts

Updated 2 March 2026

Introduction

This guidance explains what to expect when you receive your test material consignments and provides instructions for completing the attendance registers and returning key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum test scripts for marking.

It applies to schools in England and Jersey, as well as Ministry of Defence (MOD) schools.

You can also refer to our supporting returning test scripts video (available by the end of April) for further guidance and clarification on packing and returning test scripts for marking.

Changes for 2026

From the academic year 2025 to 2026 onwards, schools will:

• complete KS2 test attendance registers online
• submit notifications of pupils using an aid within each online attendance register
• return all standard and modified test scripts in the clear inner bags – there will no longer be separate green modified inner bags

Key stage 2 test materials and stationery

We calculate the quantities of test papers and stationery needed for the initial test materials consignments using each school’s pupil registration data available from the National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal) on Friday 6 March.

Checking your initial consignment

When you receive your delivery, check the whole initial consignment. Make sure you have all items listed on the delivery note and that you have enough materials to administer all tests. If you find any items are missing or damaged, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

Schools based in England

During the week commencing 27 April 2026, Parcelforce will deliver initial consignments containing:

• KS2 test papers, including any modified and braille tests you ordered
• a stationery pack containing:
  • 1 delivery note
  • 1 content sheet (CS)
  • 1 ‘Returning test scripts’ instructions booklet
  • 1 Parcelforce Worldwide dispatch log (PFWDL)
  • 1 pack of 8 clear inner bags for returning test scripts (CIBP)
  • 1 pack of 4 white script return bags (WSRB)
• 1 padded envelope for each braille test paper ordered
• 1 Parcelforce Worldwide return labels pack (PFWLS: 3 labels per subject minimum)

Jersey schools

The Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department will deliver your consignment by Friday 8 May. You will receive all items listed for schools based in England.

Ministry of Defence schools

Your consignment will be delivered to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) Northolt on Friday 10 April for onward shipment. You will receive all items listed for schools based in England, plus:

• any key stage 1 modified test papers you ordered
• 10 oversized BFPO network outer bags (WOOB)

Additional test materials or stationery items

Schools based in England

We review changes to pupil registration data and will send additional standard test papers to schools automatically, if they are needed, from Tuesday 5 May.

If you need additional modified test papers, or to discuss options for receiving additional papers during test week, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

You can order additional stationery by completing the ‘Order additional stationery’ form on the NCA Portal from Monday 27 April. If your order does not arrive within 48 hours of submitting it, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

Jersey schools

Contact the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department on 01534 445504 for additional test papers and stationery. If you need more help, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on +44 (0)300 303 3013.

Ministry of Defence schools

You will receive spare stationery items in your test materials consignment. If you need more, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on +44 (0)300 303 3013.

Attendance registers

Attendance registers are available online for the first time. Designated school staff will need to review, update and submit the details for each test on the NCA Portal.

You can also refer to our online attendance register video (available by the end of April) for further guidance and clarification on completing and submitting the new attendance registers.

We use completed attendance registers to understand which pupils took a test, and the reasons why pupils did not take them. For guidance on which pupils should take the tests, see the ‘Test participation’ section of the 2026 KS2 assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA).

We may contact you by email or telephone to resolve any discrepancies between the test scripts received for marking and the attendance registers.

Checking the attendance registers

Online attendance registers will be available to complete on the NCA Portal. They are pre-populated with:

• your school’s information and Department for Education (DfE) number
• test details
• the pupil registration information you submitted

Attendance registers will list all pupils, including those with a non-assessing code entered during pupil registration. This is in case a pupil’s status changes and they ultimately sit the test.

Check the details are up to date on each attendance register as soon as the activity is available on the NCA Portal.

Making changes

If you need to make changes to an attendance register, update your pupil registration data in ‘Manage key stage 2 pupil registration’ within in the ‘Activities’ section of the NCA Portal.

Any changes you make will automatically update the attendance register. The ‘Manage key stage 2 pupil registration’ form will remain open until 11:59pm on Thursday 21 May, after the end of the timetable variation (TTV) period.

Keeping your pupil registration data up to date will help us:

• match your test scripts and attendance registers to your school
• produce your pupil results file
• reduce errors when you submit your teacher assessment data in June

Completing attendance registers

Completing the attendance registers takes approximately 1 minute per pupil, plus an additional 5 minutes per pupil who used an aid.

Before you start, ensure you have the following information to hand:

• attendance status information for all registered pupils
• details of aid usage for each pupil who used aids during the test

Step 1: Access the attendance register

Access the NCA Portal and select ‘Complete attendance register’ from the list of ‘Available activities’. The online attendance register home screen will appear. 

Step 2: Select the test

Select the relevant test from the drop-down list. The status of each available attendance register is shown as either:

• submitted – the register has been completed and cannot be changed
• saved – the register has only been partly completed, and further updates can be made before submission
• no status (blank) – it needs to be fully completed

Step 3: Check pupil information

Once you have selected a test, the attendance register will load and display all the pupils registered for that test, with the following information:

• attendance
• first name
• middle names
• last name
• sex
• date of birth
• notification of aid

Check that the pupils’ information is accurate.

Step 4: Record attendance

Select the pupils for whom you wish to record an attendance status. You can either:

• work through the register alphabetically
• use the search function to find an individual pupil
• select ‘Select all’ to update all pupils listed

For each pupil who sat the test, mark them as attended. For those who did not take the test, select the correct non-attendance code from the drop-down list (see Non-attendance codes).

Step 5: Record the use of an aid

If a pupil used an aid in the test, select ‘Record aid’ for that pupil and enter the information requested. Then select ‘Save aid data’ to update the attendance register. You must do this individually for all pupils who used an aid.

Step 6: Save or submit

Once you have entered an attendance status for each pupil and added information on any aid usages:

• select ’Save’ at the top of the screen – this will save your progress and allow you to return later to make further amendments
• select ’Submit’ if all information is correct and complete

The test’s status in the drop-down box will update to either ‘Saved’ or ‘Submitted’, depending on which option you selected.

Alternative method: Upload an Excel document

You can also complete the attendance registers using Excel:

1. Select the ‘Download to Excel’ tab.
2. Once the download is completed, save the document.
3. Update and upload the file using the ‘Upload’ tab.
4. Check the online attendance register to ensure all information has been uploaded successfully before submitting it.

If you have any questions, please contact the national curriculum assessments helpline.

Schools where no registered pupils sit a test

Some schools, particularly special schools, may have registered whole pupil cohorts for the tests, even though the pupils will not go on to take them.  

If none of your registered pupils took the tests, you must complete the following actions as soon as possible:

1. Complete the attendance registers on the NCA Portal by recording the correct non-attendance code for each pupil (see Non-attendance codes).
2. Complete all fields in the headteacher’s declaration form (HDF), which will be available on the NCA Portal from Thursday 14 May until Friday 29 May.

You will not be able to complete the HDF until all online attendance registers have been submitted on the NCA Portal.

Any attempts to collect packages will be cancelled on completion of the above.

Non-attendance codes

The following table details the non-attendance codes to select when completing the attendance register:

Code	Category	Additional guidance
B	Below the standard of the test	A pupil can be working below the standard for a subject and not take that test but still be working at the standard for other subjects and take those tests.
L	Left the school before the test period	A pupil who has left your school permanently. If necessary, you can update your pupil registration data until 11:59pm on Thursday 21 May.
A	Absent for the test and TTV period	Only mark a pupil as absent if they should sit a test but cannot, or do not, attend school until after the final TTV date for that test. They should take the test if they return in time and you have an approved TTV.
U	Unable to access the test, even though working at the standard	A pupil who is working at the standard of a test but is unable to access it, even with appropriate access arrangements in place.
J	Just arrived at the school	A pupil should not take the test if they have recently arrived in school and there is not enough time to determine whether they are working at the overall standard of the test.
F	Future administration	A pupil who is taking all papers for a subject in a future academic year. They should take the tests for the remaining subjects in the current year, unless another non-attendance code applies.
P	Taking the test in a previous year	A pupil who has taken all papers for a subject in a previous academic year. They should take the tests for the remaining subjects in the current year, unless another non-attendance code applies.

Packing test scripts for collection

You can refer to our online returning test scripts video (available by the end of April) for further guidance and clarification on packing and returning test scripts for marking. The steps below will guide you through the process for packing your test scripts.

We recommend at least 2 test administrators work together to package the test scripts.

After each test has been administered, take the test scripts to your secure area. Then follow the instructions below:

1.Arrange the papers by the pupils’ surnames.

2.Check the pupils’ details on the test script covers:

• If the name a pupil wrote differs from the attendance register, print their registered name next to it on the test script cover.
• Fill in missing information, such as date of birth, school name, or DfE number.

3.Attach any additional paper containing pupils’ answers to their test script securely with a paper clip or treasury tag. Ensure their name, school name and DfE number is written on it.

4.Remove items that do not contain pupils’ answers, such as test instructions or printed confirmation of access arrangements.

5.Complete the online attendance register on the NCA Portal. If a pupil is absent and may return to take the test in the TTV window, leave their status on the attendance register blank for now.

6.Put all completed test scripts (except for braille scripts) into a clear inner bag and seal it.

7.If you have braille scripts, put them into the braille padded envelope. You will be provided with a braille padded envelope for each braille paper ordered.

8.Place the sealed inner bags and any braille envelopes into a white script return bag (WSRB). Please do not overfill the bags, as they may split in transit. If you use more than one white script return bag, distribute the test scripts evenly. Write the bag number and total number of bags being returned on each bag – for example, ‘1 of 2’ and ‘2 of 2’.

9.The Parcelforce labels have a letter for each subject: ‘G’ for English grammar, punctuation and spelling, ‘R’ for English reading, and ‘M’ for mathematics. Apply one label per return bag and:

• if all administration is completed, seal it
• if you expect to administer a test later using a TTV, do not seal it yet

10.Stick the peel-off tracking numbers which correspond with your used labels from the Parcelforce label sheet to the dispatch log (PFWDL). You can enter the tracking numbers on the Parcelforce website to trace your packages.

11.Store the return bags securely until your next Parcelforce collection, or until administration is complete (see Administering a test using a timetable variation).

12.On collection, ask the Parcelforce driver to sign the dispatch log. You will need it during monitoring visits or if you have collection queries.

Our approved courier, Parcelforce Worldwide, must collect and return test scripts. You must not give test scripts to any other courier service.  

Administering a test using a timetable variation

If you believe that you will administer a test to one or more pupils after the scheduled test day, using an approved TTV, leave the attendance status for those pupils blank on the attendance register until they take the test.

After each TTV sitting of a paper, follow the steps below:

1. Put the completed test scripts directly into their subject’s white script return bag on top of the sealed bag from the initial administration.
2. Seal the script return bag.
3. Mark the pupils who sat the test as ‘Attended’ on the online attendance register within the NCA Portal.
4. If an absent pupil does not sit the test by the last TTV day for a paper, or if the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has rejected an application for a TTV, mark the pupil as ‘A’ (Absent) on the attendance register.
5. When the attendance register is complete for all pupils, submit it on the NCA Portal.
6. Store the sealed bags securely until your next Parcelforce collection.

Additional instructions for Jersey schools

Pack the test scripts as described in Packing test scripts for collection. For 2026, there is no requirement for Jersey schools to use oversized outer bags.

The Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department will collect your packages on Friday 22 May and will forward them to STA’s Test Operations Service for marking.

Additional instructions for Ministry of Defence schools

Pack the test scripts as described in Packing test scripts for collection and Administering a test using a timetable variation. Then place your sealed white script return bags into the pre-addressed oversized outer bags (WOOB) and seal them.

You must then take the packages to your local BFPO and get a dispatch receipt.

The team at BFPO Northolt will open all WOOB packages and transfer the white script return bags to Parcelforce for onward delivery to STA’s Test Operations Service for marking.

If you have any questions, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on +44 (0)300 303 3013.

Test script collections

Store your sealed white script return bags in a secure location until Parcelforce arrives to collect them. You must not take test script packages to the post office or use any other courier.

Please ensure that:

• reception staff know about the planned KS2 test script collection and understand how to record dispatch details (see Packing test scripts for collection)
• if your site has multiple receptions or school offices (for example, for primary and secondary), ensure they are all aware of the KS2 test script collection and can direct the driver to the correct location, if needed

For any queries or concerns about a collection, please contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

Scheduled collections during test week

Parcelforce cannot collect from every school every day, so we have scheduled collections between 9am and 4pm as follows:

Group A – if your school’s DfE number ends with an even digit	Group B – if your school’s DfE number ends with an odd digit
Monday 11 May	Tuesday 12 May
Wednesday 13 May	Thursday 14 May
Friday 15 May	Friday 15 May, if necessary

Parcelforce will collect any packages that are available on any day, but if the driver:

• arrives before you have packaged the test scripts, tell them this and they will return on the next scheduled collection day
• visits your school on a non-scheduled day for any reason, they could still collect any packages you may have, provided they have capacity

Collections following a timetable variation

Parcelforce will collect test script packages from approved TTVs completed during KS2 test week on your next scheduled collection day, up to Friday 15 May.

Otherwise, we will send Parcelforce to your school on the day after your final approved TTV for each paper, up to Friday 22 May.

Uncollected packages

We estimate the number of packages each school will dispatch, using the latest pupil registration data and HDF submissions, and we track the actual number collected. Taking known approved TTVs into account, we will ask Parcelforce to make further collection attempts from Friday 15 May until we determine no more are required.

If you find a test script that should have been sent for marking after dispatching a subject’s packages, or you have an uncollected package, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013, particularly if it is after:

• Friday 15 May, and you have completed all test administration
• Friday 22 May, following completion of your approved TTVs

Recycling unused test materials and packaging

You must keep any unused test materials, stationery items and packaging secure until Friday 22 May, after all administration is complete. You can then dispose of them as follows:

• All plastic wrapping for the stationery materials and test papers, as well as the script return bags, are low-density polyethylene (LDPE4), which is recyclable. If your local authority or recycling service will not accept it, many of the larger supermarkets offer plastic wrapping recycling facilities.
• The test materials’ delivery boxes are made from recycled cardboard and can be recycled again after removing any tape.
• Unused test papers and their accompanying delivery notes can be recycled at any paper recycling point.

The Test Operations Service handles the recycling of test scripts and packaging received at the scanning bureau as follows:

• Script packaging is recycled.
• Test scripts are scanned, then securely shredded and finally recycled.
• Test scripts marked on paper, rather than being scanned, are returned to their schools.

Help and support

If you have any further questions about returning KS2 test scripts or completing the online attendance registers, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline:

National curriculum assessments helpline
Call: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk
Online: NCA Portal ‘Support’