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Review of key stage 2 national curriculum test operations delivery: terms of reference

Published 17 July 2026

Applies to England

This review has been established by the Secretary of State for Education to consider the problems that arose in the delivery of key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests in 2026 by an external contractor, Pearson Education Limited (Pearson).

The issues resulted in a 9-day delay in returning the results of the tests to schools from 7 July 2026 to 16 July 2026. The review will also consider the role of the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) and Department for Education (DfE) in the lead-up to the announcement of the delay and the delivery of results on 16 July 2026, and the role of Ofqual as regulator of national curriculum assessments. The review will be led by Dame Christine Gilbert DBE.

We want all school leaders and staff, pupils and parents in England to have confidence in the delivery and outcomes of the KS2 tests. Any failure in delivery undermines this confidence.

Background

Pearson was awarded the contract to deliver KS2 tests in April 2024 following an open procurement. Under the contract, Pearson is responsible for all test logistics including delivering and collecting test papers from schools, marking and returning results to schools.   

KS2 tests were sat by year 6 pupils in England in the week beginning 11 May 2026, following which scripts were collected from schools for marking. Marking took place in late May 2026 and early June 2026.

On 1 July 2026, Pearson informed STA and DfE that it did not feel confident in its ability to successfully and accurately return results to schools as planned on 7 July 2026.

Pearson made a public announcement on 2 July 2026 that the date for the return of results would be put back to 16 July 2026 and apologised for this failure to deliver results as planned.

Initial review questions

The Secretary of State for Education expects the review to consider, as a minimum, the following key issues and questions:

1. The precise nature of the issues that led to the delay in returning results and any related factors in relation to each of the various systems, processes and management procedures required by the contract:

• what issues arose in their operation?
• when did those issues emerge?
• how and when were they communicated to STA?
• what was done to resolve them?
• how quickly did Pearson move to resolve the key issues?
• how were the issues which arose communicated to the sector?

2. The reasons these issues arose:

• what did Pearson’s bid say about its ability to fulfil the key elements of the contract?
• how did Pearson perform during the set-up period against key milestones, given the extended period compared with the previous contract?
• how did Pearson perform during the test cycle period against key milestones?
• what evidence and assurance was provided to STA and, where appropriate, DfE, by Pearson against key milestones during set-up and the test cycle period?
• how were risks identified by Pearson and how were they communicated to STA?
• what was Pearson’s assessment of risks to delivery at various points in the set-up period and test cycle?
• how effective was management information provided by Pearson in enabling the identification and resolution of key issues?

3. The role of STA, DfE and, where relevant, the regulatory role of Ofqual:

• was the process to award the contract robust?
• what were the respective roles of each of the organisations in the oversight, governance and management of the contract?
• how were those roles exercised in relation to the issues later experienced with delivery?
• were the assurances on key milestone activity sought by STA and DfE sufficient, during the set-up period and in the live test cycle?
• did STA provide sufficient challenge to Pearson where risks were identified?
• did Ofqual provide sufficient regulatory oversight of the STA during the set-up period and live-test cycle?
• where STA or DfE identified any issues or disputes, how were they resolved?
• were there any central requirements (that is, in relation to procurement and/or contract management) that impacted (either positively or negatively) on the delivery failures experienced?
• were issues appropriately communicated with the sector and what could be improved for future test cycles?

4. What changes can be made to improve the delivery and operation of tests in future years, to avoid disruption to schools and pupils, and rebuild trust with schools and families:

• are there any key features of the test operations process which should be changed or improved to avoid these problems occurring in the future?
• should any of the roles played by the organisations listed above be changed in the future?
• does Ofqual’s regulatory remit, as set out in legislation, remain fit for purpose, including in light of any proposed changes to the roles of STA and DfE and the overall delivery model for national assessments?

The review will be confidential until publication of the final report and recommendations submitted to the Secretary of State.

In undertaking its work, the review may interview relevant individuals from Pearson, STA, DfE or Ofqual. The review is encouraged to seek the views of other interested parties, for example, schools, trusts, local authorities, trade unions and markers.

Indicative timeline

July 2026:  launch of the review.

August 2026 to September 2026: review gathers and synthesises evidence.

October 2026: analysis and final report submitted to the Secretary of State.

Note that these timings are subject to change.