New Test Operations Service provider: information for schools and local authorities
From September 2025, Pearson will provide the Test Operations Service, supporting national curriculum assessments on behalf of the Standards and Testing Agency.
This page outlines the key changes and dates to help schools and local authorities prepare for the launch of the new service in September 2025.
Background
The Test Operations Services contract, which supports national curriculum assessments, is managed by an external supplier. This includes the phonics screening check, optional key stage 1 (KS1) tests, and statutory key stage 2 (KS2) tests and teacher assessment. Services covered by the contract include the printing and distribution of test papers, school-facing systems, marking, and helpline support.
In accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015, a competitive procurement process was conducted to renew these outsourced services. Pearson has been selected as the supplier and will deliver the Test Operations Services from the 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards. Capita will continue to provide these services for the 2024 to 2025 test cycle, after which the current contract will end.
We are working closely with Pearson to ensure a smooth and positive transition for schools and local authorities.
Important dates
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Thursday 31 July 2025 | Schools and local authorities must update their Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG) users and contact details by this date, to ensure they receive access instructions for the new National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal). |
| Friday 19 September 2025 | The national curriculum assessments helpline switches over to Pearson. Callers will have 2 options available: option 1 for Pearson if you have queries about the coming tests, and option 2 for Capita if you have queries relating to tests just taken (option 2 will be available until Friday 19 December). |
| Friday 19 September 2025 | The national curriculum assessments helpline email address will also now be operated by Pearson. While queries for Capita’s attention will still be answered, Pearson will oversee the initial handling of all incoming messages. Behind the scenes, Pearson and Capita will coordinate to ensure queries are directed to the appropriate team. Additionally, Capita will now use a new dedicated email address to respond to queries: tops_helpdesk@capita-sta.co.uk. |
| Monday 22 September 2025 | Between 9am and 4pm, primary school and local authority users receive an invitation email with instructions on how to access the NCA Portal. |
| Tuesday 23 September 2025 | The NCA Portal goes live. |
| Friday 19 December 2025 | The PAG closes. |
| Monday 1 June 2026 | Multi-academy trusts (MATs) and key stage 3 (KS3) schools receive invitations to access the NCA Portal . |
Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG): 2024 to 2025 test cycle only
The PAG will close and no longer be accessible for schools and local authorities from Friday 19 December 2025. There will also be a gradual removal of some forms and functionality from the PAG leading up to this date.
The table below outlines the last day each of the following will be available:
| Form or functionality on the PAG | Last date available |
|---|---|
| Message us – access arrangements | Friday 1 August 2025 |
| Submit teacher assessment form | Friday 26 September 2025 |
| View and download KS2 test results | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Search for pupils’ KS2 results | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| View school details | Friday 19 December 2025 |
National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal): 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards
Pearson developed a new system to replace the PAG for activities relating to the 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards. The NCA Portal will officially go live on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
On Monday 22 September, ahead of the launch, Pearson will email instructions on how to access the NCA Portal to:
- all primary school users who were previously registered on the PAG
- local authority contacts who were previously registered on STA’s contact details survey
The email will include a secure link to set up an account. Once users with account manager permissions have set up their accounts, they will also be able to manage access for others within their school or local authority.
Managing accounts
The NCA Portal uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to help protect pupil data and ensure secure access. As part of the sign in process, users will receive an email with a unique 6-digit code at their registered email address. This code will be required once per day.
For full instructions and support on how to access the system and manage user accounts, please refer to the how to access the NCA Portal guidance.
New NCA Portal activities
In addition to the usual activities, users will be able to complete new tasks within the NCA Portal.
Schools will be able to:
- complete attendance registers alongside notification of aid for KS2 tests online
- order electronic modified large print (MLP) papers
- report maladministration for KS2 tests
- submit, view and update helpdesk requests related to own cases
Local authorities will be able to:
- approve their monitoring and moderation agreements with academies and participating independent schools
- complete standardisation activities directly within the NCA Portal, replacing previous processes
National curriculum assessments customer service
The national curriculum assessments helpline, which will now be operated by Pearson, will remain open with the same contact details:
- telephone: 0300 303 3013 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)
- email: assessments@education.gov.uk*
During September, when activities for both test cycles are ongoing, arrangements will be in place to ensure that the most appropriate agents are available to answer your queries. When you make a call, there will be recorded instructions to ensure your query is directed to the appropriate agent.
From Tuesday 23 September, NCA Portal users will be able to submit helpdesk requests directly via the ‘Support’ section within the NCA Portal. Requests submitted by telephone or email will also appear within the user’s NCA Portal account, allowing them to track progress, receive updates and respond to queries securely within the system.
*If you email the helpline, you may receive a response from either:
- assessments@education.gov.uk
- assessments@service.education.gov.uk: Pearson will use this additional email address to reply to your queries. If you need to respond, you can reply to this email address directly, to assessments@education.gov.uk, or update your query on the NCA Portal.
- tops_helpdesk@capita-sta.co.uk: Capita will use this email address between Friday 19 September 2025 and Friday 19 December 2025 to respond to queries relating to the 2024 to 2025 test cycle. Capita will use this email address for outgoing messages only. It will not be monitored for incoming emails. If you need more help or have another query, please ensure you always send your email to assessments@education.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
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Added information about an additional email address Pearson will use to operate the national curriculum assessments helpline in future: assessments@service.education.gov.uk
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Added further information about the new National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal), including details on accessing the system and new functionality it will offer.
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First published.