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. 

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

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.

Please ensureThere youwill downloadalso anybe documentsa relatinggradual toremoval theof academicsome yearforms 2024and tofunctionality 2025from beforethe PAG leading up to this date.

The Youtable canbelow checkoutlines the:the last day each of the following will be available:

• ‘Available

Form Activity’or sectionfunctionality foron 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 ‘Completed	Friday Activity’19 sectionDecember 2025
Search for anypupils’ forms,KS2 letters,results	Friday or19 outcomesDecember you2025
View mayschool needdetails	Friday to19 retainDecember 2025

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

Pearson developed a new system to replace the the PAG for for activities relating to the 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards. The The NCA Portal went will officially go live on Tuesday 23 September 2025.

IfOn youMonday haven’t22 setSeptember, upahead yourof the launch, Pearson will email instructions on how to access the NCA Portal accountto:

• all yet,primary pleaseschool contactusers who were previously registered on the nationalPAG
• local curriculumauthority assessmentscontacts helpline.
  who were previously registered on STA’s contact details survey

ForThe fullemail instructionswill andinclude supporta onsecure howlink to accessset theup systeman andaccount. manageOnce userusers with account manager permissions have set up their accounts, pleasethey will also referbe able to themanage guidanceaccess on howfor toothers accesswithin the NCAtheir Portal.school or local authority.

NewManaging NCA Portal activitiesaccounts

The The NCA Portal uses 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 the NCA Portal.

Schools will be able to:

• complete attendance registers alongside notification of aid for for KS2 tests tests online
• order electronic modified large print (MLP) papers
• report maladministration for for KS2 tests 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 the NCA Portal, replacing previous processes

National curriculum assessments customer service

The national curriculum assessments helplinehelpline, iswhich will now be operated by Pearson:

NationalPearson, curriculumwill assessmentsremain helpline
Call:open with the same contact details:

• telephone: 0300 303 3013 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)
  Email:
• email: assessments@education.gov.uk
  Online: NCA Portal ‘Support’*

TheDuring telephoneSeptember, numberwhen andactivities emailfor addressboth havetest notcycles changed,are however: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 canusers nowwill alsobe able to submit helpdesk requests indirectly via the ‘Support’ section within the the NCA Portal. –Requests any requests submitted by telephone or email will also appear inwithin the user’s user’s NCA Portal account, account, allowing them to track progress, receive updates and respond to queries securely within the system

• ifsystem.

  *If you email the helpline, you may receive a response from either:

  • assessments@education.gov.uk or
  • assessments@service.education.gov.uk: –Pearson will use this additional email address to reply to your queries. If you need to respond, you can respondreply to eitherthis ofemail theseaddress directly, to assessments@education.gov.uk, or update your query on the NCA Portal .
  • until tops_helpdesk@capita-sta.co.uk: FridayCapita will use this email address between Friday 19 December,September Capita2025 and Friday may19 December 2025 to respond to queries relating to the 2024 to 2025 test cyclecycle. usingCapita thewill use this email address tops_helpdesk@capita-sta.co.ukfor –outgoing youmessages cannotonly. replyIt directlywill tonot thisbe emailmonitored for address,incoming butemails. ifIf you need more help or have another query, justplease forwardensure ityou always send your email to assessments@education.gov.uk .