New Test Operations Service provider: information for schools and local authorities

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.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.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	UsersBetween will9am receiveand information4pm, onprimary howschool toand accesslocal andauthority signusers inreceive toan theinvitation Nationalemail Curriculumwith Assessmentsinstructions Portal.on how to access the NCA Portal.
Tuesday 23 September 2025	The NationalNCA Curriculum Assessments 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
Manage user accounts	Thursday 31 July 2025
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
Download KS1 teacher assessment materials	Friday 19 December 2025
Download KS2 teacher assessment materials	Friday 19 December 2025
View school details	Friday 19 December 2025

National Curriculum Assessments Portal:Portal (NCA Portal): 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards

Pearson isdeveloped developing a new system,system theto National Curriculum Assessments Portal, which will replace the PAG. Pearsonfor haveactivities beenrelating runningto userthe engagement2025 researchto with2026 schoolstest andcycle localonwards. authoritiesThe toNCA supportPortal thewill developmentofficially ofgo thislive futureon service.Tuesday 23 September 2025.

TheOn NationalMonday Curriculum22 AssessmentsSeptember, Portalahead of the launch, Pearson will includeemail newinstructions functionality,on allowinghow usersto access the NCA Portal to:

• completeall andprimary submitschool onlineusers registerswho forwere KS2previously testsregistered on the PAG
• approve local authority monitoringcontacts andwho moderationwere agreementspreviously withregistered academieson andSTA’s participatingcontact independentdetails schoolssurvey
• report

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access,email completewill andinclude marka standardisationsecure exerciseslink andto commentaries

Usersset ofup thean newaccount. systemOnce willusers needwith toaccount manager permissions have set up andtheir useaccounts, 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 signhelp in,protect ensuringpupil thedata safety and securityensure secure access. As part of pupilsthe andsign in process, users will receive an email with a unique 6-digit code at their information.registered email address. This code will be required once per day.

FullFor informationfull 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 availableable into Septembercomplete 2025.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 helplinehelpline, which will now be operated by Pearson, will remain open with the same contact details, but will now be operated by Pearson:details:

• telephone: 0300 303 3013 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)
• email: 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.