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The Standards and Testing Agency (STA)ÌýhasÌýa statutory duty, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, to investigate matters which relate to the accuracy of pupils’ results and outcomes in the national curriculum assessments.Ìý

The legal basis for this is set out in:Ìý

• Ìý

• Ìý

• Ìý

This publication is forÌýlocal authorities, school leaders, school staff and accountable bodies in all maintained schools, academies, free schools and participating independent schools. It outlines STA’s procedures for investigating allegations of maladministration of national curriculum assessments. Investigations are designed to safeguard the integrity of the assessments.

This document coversÌýthe:Ìý

• reception baseline assessmentÌý(RBA)Ìý

• phonics screening checkÌýÌý

• multiplication tables check (MTC)Ìý

• key stage 2 (KS2) tests andÌýteacher assessmentÌý

Matters reported to STA about the accuracy of pupils’ results in the national curriculum assessments are referred to as ‘allegations of maladministration’ within these procedures.

Maladministration refers to any act that:Ìý

• affects the integrity,ÌýsecurityÌýor confidentiality of the national curriculum assessmentsÌý

• could lead to results that do not reflect pupils’ unaided workÌý

• compromises the validity and integrity of the data usedÌýby secondary schoolsÌý(for pupil planning andÌýsubsequentÌýpupil learning),ÌýtheÌýDepartment for Education (DfE) and parents

All references to ‘schools’ apply toÌýtheÌýdifferent typesÌýof schools as set out in the KS2Ìýassessment and reporting arrangements (ARA).Ìý

If youÌýare involved inÌýadministering aÌýcheck or testÌýinÌýthe academic year 2025 to 2026, or the RBA in the academic yearÌý2026ÌýtoÌý2027,Ìýyou should prepare by reading the relevant guidance from the:

• RBAÌýARAÌý

• RBA administration guidanceÌý

• phonics screening check ARAÌý

• phonics screening checkÌýadministration guidanceÌýÌý

• KS2 ARAÌý

• MTC administration guidanceÌýÌýÌý

• KS2 test administration guidanceÌýÌý

• KS2 teacher assessment guidanceÌý

Examples of maladministrationÌý

Maladministration of theÌýRBA,Ìýphonics screening check,ÌýMTCÌýorÌýKS2ÌýtestsÌýcan be unintentionalÌýorÌýintentional. It can include:Ìý

• testÌýor checkÌýadministratorsÌýover-aiding pupilsÌý

• makingÌýchanges to pupils’ test scriptsÌý

• schools reporting pupils’Ìýphonics screening checkÌýscores incorrectlyÌý

• schools allowing pupilsÌýto restart the MTC for a reasonÌýother thanÌýthoseÌýpermittedÌý

• schoolsÌýapplyingÌýMTCÌýaccess arrangementsÌýwhich are not part of normal classroom practiceÌý

• an MTC input assistant submitting answers without a pupil indicating their intended response

• aÌýpractitionerÌýselecting answers inÌýtheÌýRBA for a pupil who has not independently indicated their intended response

• unauthorisedÌýadditionalÌýtime or timetable variationÌýin theÌýKS2ÌýtestsÌý

• failure toÌýnotifyÌýSTAÌýofÌýthe use of aÌýscribe, transcribe,Ìýword processors,Ìýor other technical or electronic aidÌýin theÌýKS2ÌýtestsÌý

• notÌýappropriately removingÌýorÌýcoveringÌýroom displaysÌýÌý

• early opening ofÌýassessmentÌýmaterials withoutÌýSTA’sÌýpermissionÌý

• disclosing test content to a third party orÌýpublicly, including online orÌýon social media,ÌýbeforeÌýandÌýwithin the test windowÌý–Ìýincluding duringÌýtimetable variation weekÌý

Maladministration ofÌýteacher assessmentÌýcan include:Ìý

• changes toÌýteacher assessmentÌýjudgementsÌýÌý

• submitting different data to that agreedÌýduringÌýlocal authorityÌýmoderationÌýÌý

• submittingÌýpupils’ÌýworkÌýas independent even though itÌýhas been heavily supportedÌýÌý

• incorrect or invalidÌýwriting evidenceÌýÌý

Sources of maladministration allegationsÌý

Allegations of maladministrationÌýcomeÌýfrom various sources,Ìýincluding:Ìý

• members of the public, including parentsÌý

• primaryÌýschool staff and governorsÌý

• secondary schoolsÌý

• academy sponsor staffÌý

• localÌýauthorityÌýstaffÌý

• local authoritiesÌýwho conductedÌýKS2 orÌýphonics screening checkÌýmonitoring visitsÌý

• markers of the KS2 testsÌý

• external organisations,Ìýsuch asÌýOfstedÌýorÌýOfqualÌý

• individuals who wish to remain anonymousÌý

Roles and responsibilitiesÌý

Standards and Testing AgencyÌý

STA’s role is to safeguard the integrity of the assessments and results data. STA does not apportion blame for any maladministration. Any subsequent disciplinary proceedings are the decision and responsibility of the school’s accountable body, which may make a referral to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

STAÌýwillÌýallocateÌýaÌýcase managerÌýto each case of alleged maladministration.ÌýÌý

Where applicable, theÌýcase managerÌýis responsible for:Ìý

• conductingÌýthe investigationÌý

• completing scriptÌýreviewsÌýof the relevantÌýKS2Ìýtest papersÌý

• reviewing access arrangement applications,ÌýaidÌýnotificationsÌýandÌýtheirÌýoutcomesÌý

• reviewingÌýRBA, phonics screeningÌýcheckÌýorÌýMTCÌýdataÌý

• reviewingÌýlocal authorityÌýmonitoring visit formsÌý

• communicating with theÌýschoolÌýto gain further informationÌýduringÌýthe investigationÌý

• communicatingÌýthe outcomeÌýof the investigationÌýtoÌýtheÌýschoolÌýand itsÌýlocal authority

OfstedÌý

STAÌýsharesÌýhigh-levelÌýinformation onÌýmaladministrationÌýinvestigationsÌýwith Ofsted. This includesÌýthe:ÌýÌý

• DfEÌýnumberÌý

• school nameÌý

• key stageÌý

• assessmentÌý

• allegation typeÌý

• outcomeÌýofÌýtheÌýinvestigation,Ìýonce availableÌý

STA shares this information to avoid school inspections being scheduled during an investigation. STA does not share details of the investigation itself – for example, documents, reports or conversations. Shared information may be included in discussions between Ofsted and the school.

Local authoritiesÌý

STAÌýmayÌýaskÌýlocal authoritiesÌýto visit schools to gather information as part of an investigation.ÌýLocal authorityÌýstaff conducting these visitsÌýwillÌýbe familiar with the maladministration investigation visits guidanceÌýand details of theÌýparticular allegationÌýof maladministration, provided by STAÌýbeforeÌýanyÌýschool visits.ÌýSTAÌýis responsible for deciding the outcomeÌýof all investigations.ÌýÌý

Logging and initial processingÌýof allegationsÌý

Allegations of maladministrationÌýshould beÌýreported by emailing STA.maladministration@education.gov.ukÌýor byÌýcallingÌýthe national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.ÌýÌý

STA logs all allegations of maladministration.ÌýAnyone reporting an allegationÌýshould provideÌýas much detail as possibleÌýto helpÌýSTAÌýdecideÌýwhich next steps are most appropriate.

When reporting allegations of maladministration, where possible, include:Ìý

• the DfE number or name ofÌýtheÌýschool andÌýanyÌýavailable address informationÌý

• details ofÌýtheÌýaffectedÌýassessmentÌýand relevantÌýtestÌýquestionsÌý

• initials of affected pupils,Ìýwhere applicableÌýÌý

• details about the allegation and relevant circumstancesÌý

• the year of the assessment, if not currentÌý

• details of other schools that are affected,Ìýif relevantÌý

TheÌýperson making an allegationÌýhas theÌýoptionÌýto remainÌýanonymous.ÌýAll information collected will be processed andÌýretainedÌýin accordance withÌýthe:Ìý

• Ìý

• Ìý

• Ìý

After receiving an allegation, STA considers the details andÌýtakesÌýoneÌýof the following 3 decisionsÌýandÌýsubsequentÌýactions:Ìý

1.ÌýMaladministration has not occurredÌý

STAÌýwill close theÌýcase. IfÌýtheÌýschool is unaware of the allegation,Ìýand nothing has been foundÌýor the allegation is incorrect,Ìýthe school will not be informed. This may happen,Ìýfor example,Ìýif anÌýindividual reportsÌýanÌýadditionalÌýtimeÌýallegation to STA and the school hasÌýan approvedÌýadditionalÌýtime application.Ìý

2.ÌýMaladministration has occurred but there is noÌýimpactÌýonÌýthe accuracy of pupils’ assessmentsÌý

STAÌýmay decide thatÌýminorÌýmaladministration has occurred, but it has not affected the accuracy of pupils’ results.ÌýMinor maladministration does notÌýimpactÌýtest results but indicates a divergence from the test administration procedures that could have impacted test results.ÌýIfÌýthis is the case,ÌýSTAÌýwill notÌýamendÌýor annul the school’s assessment outcomes.Ìý

Minor maladministrationÌýmay happen if, for example,ÌýroomÌýdisplays wereÌýnot covered butÌýthey did not give anÌýadvantage to pupils sitting the assessment.ÌýIt may alsoÌýhappen ifÌýthe wrong test pack was opened butÌýimmediatelyÌýresealed.Ìý

STAÌýwill write to the school informing them of this decisionÌýand suggestÌýactions to ensure similarÌýminor maladministrationÌýdoes not occur againÌýand to protect future assessment outcomes.Ìý

3.ÌýMaladministration has occurredÌýandÌýthere is potential impact on the accuracy of pupils’ assessments

STA may decide that maladministration occurredÌýandÌýhas affected the accuracy of pupils’ results. If this is the case, STA will annul theÌýrelevantÌýaffectedÌýoutcomes.ÌýÌý

AÌýschool’sÌýKS2ÌýresultsÌýmayÌýbeÌýtemporarily withheldÌýwhereÌýthe outcome of an investigation is still pending.ÌýOnce the outcomeÌýof the investigationÌýis confirmed, affectedÌýpupils’ÌýresultsÌýmay beÌýreleased,ÌýpartiallyÌýannulledÌýorÌýfully annulledÌýafter return of results.Ìý

Investigating allegationsÌý

ToÌýinform investigationsÌýinvolvingÌýKS2 tests,ÌýSTAÌýwillÌýusuallyÌýreview scannedÌýtest scripts and,Ìýin some cases,Ìýhard copy test scripts. If relevantÌýto the allegation,ÌýSTA will review access arrangement applicationsÌýandÌýaidÌýnotifications.ÌýÌý

ForÌýinvestigations involvingÌýKS2Ìýteacher assessment, STAÌýwillÌýuse the findings from moderation visits conducted byÌýlocal authoritiesÌý–Ìýfor example, whereÌýa change on submittedÌýjudgementsÌýis not reflected in the data. Where a school under investigation has not already had a moderation visit, STA may askÌýitsÌýlocal authority to carry one out.ÌýÌý

ForÌýinvestigations involvingÌýthe phonics screening check,ÌýSTAÌýwillÌýwork with schools and local authoritiesÌýto confirm if results for individual pupils or full cohorts are valid.ÌýÌý

ForÌýinvestigations involvingÌýtheÌýMTC,ÌýSTAÌýwillÌýreviewÌýMTCÌýservice dataÌý–Ìýfor example,Ìýthe timeÌýwhenÌýchecks were takenÌýorÌýthe number ofÌýpauses.Ìý

ForÌýinvestigations involvingÌýtheÌýRBA, STAÌýwill review data from the RBA assessment services.ÌýÌýÌý

Discussion with a schoolÌý

STAÌýisÌýoftenÌýable to resolve an allegation through discussion with the school.ÌýSTAÌýwill contact the headteacher of the schoolÌýand keep records of all discussions.ÌýThese discussions allow the headteacher to answer queries that willÌýhelpÌýSTAÌýcase managers understand what may,Ìýor may not,Ìýhave happened.ÌýInÌýallÌýcases,ÌýSTA will contact the headteacher and ask forÌýtheirÌýcontribution beforeÌýconsideringÌýan annulmentÌýof results.ÌýÌý

STA’sÌýARAsÌýstate that the headteacherÌýis responsible for ensuring all administration requirements areÌýcorrectlyÌýimplemented in their school. STAÌýwill thereforeÌýliaise directly with the headteacher duringÌýanÌýinvestigation and not, for example, with aÌýschool’s accountable body.Ìý

School visitsÌý

Local authorityÌýstaff may visit a school as part of an investigation.ÌýThe headteacher should inform the school’sÌýaccountable body,Ìýwhere applicable,ÌýifÌýthey are notified of a school visit.ÌýSTAÌýusesÌýtheseÌývisits to gather information about:Ìý

• the procedures in place to keepÌýmaterials secureÌý

• how theÌýchecksÌýorÌýassessmentsÌýwere administeredÌý

• theÌýmeasuresÌýthe school put in place to ensure its teacher assessment data is accurate

If the school does not already know the nature of the allegation, theÌýlead interviewer will confirm thisÌýat theÌýstartÌýof the visit.Ìý

After the visit, the lead interviewer willÌýuse the agreed,Ìýsigned notes toÌýwriteÌýand provide a redactedÌýreportÌýtoÌýSTA.ÌýSTAÌýwillÌýthenÌýprovide the school with a copy of the report, alongsideÌýitsÌýinvestigationÌýfindings.ÌýThe school can then respond toÌýSTA in writing.Ìý

STAÌýis responsible forÌýdeciding whether pupils’ results were compromised due to maladministration.Ìý

Investigation timingÌý

STA aims to complete investigationsÌýin a timely manner.ÌýTheÌýstart time andÌýlength of an investigationÌývariesÌýandÌýdepends onÌýthe:Ìý

• check or testÌýtypeÌý

• natureÌýand timingÌýofÌýtheÌýallegationÌý

• complexity of the caseÌý

• availability of informationÌýÌý

STA completesÌýmaladministrationÌýinvestigationsÌýfor allÌýassessmentsÌýthroughout the year.ÌýÌý

Representations provided by schools under investigationÌý

DuringÌýanÌýinvestigation, ifÌýSTA’sÌýcase managerÌýconsidersÌýthereÌýmay have been maladministrationÌýand thereÌýis doubt over theÌýaccuracy ofÌýpupils’Ìýoutcomes,ÌýresultsÌýor teacher assessment, they will notifyÌýtheÌýheadteacherÌýwhen theyÌýprovideÌýtheir findings.Ìý

The headteacher willÌýthenÌýhave an opportunity to respond with any further information for STA to consider as part of the investigation, known asÌý‘representations’.Ìý

TheÌýcaseÌýmanagerÌýwillÌýconsiderÌýthe representationsÌýin a peer review withÌýanother case manager. During this peer review, theyÌýtake into considerationÌýallÌýinformationÌýthe school has provided.ÌýÌý

If the case managers cannot reachÌýaÌýdecision, they present the case to STA’s senior decision maker, whoÌýwill be independent of the investigation.ÌýAÌýdecision meeting will determineÌýwhat actions areÌýrequired.ÌýAt the meeting, theÌýcase managerÌýwill provideÌýall information gathered during the investigation,Ìýincluding:Ìý

• theÌýoriginalÌýallegationÌý

• what informationÌýtheyÌýreviewedÌý–Ìýfor example,Ìýscript review findings,Ìýevidence from monitoring visits,ÌýorÌýdata from theÌýRBAÌýorÌýMTCÌýservicesÌý

• theÌýcase manager’s findingsÌý

• theÌýheadteacher’s response to these findings (theirÌýrepresentations)Ìý

The case manager willÌýthen provideÌýaÌýrecommendation, andÌýtheÌýseniorÌýdecision maker will makeÌýtheÌýfinal decision.Ìý

Investigation outcomesÌý

WhereÌýthere is doubt about the accuracy of pupils’ results,ÌýSTA can make the following decisions for individual pupils,ÌýaÌýpartialÌýcohortÌýor the wholeÌýcohort:Ìý

Assessment	Maladministration
RBA	RemoveÌýtheÌýaffectedÌýdata. ItÌýwill not beÌýused to contribute to the final progress measureÌýat KS2.
Phonics screening check	AnnulÌýtheÌýoutcome.ÌýPupils in year 1 will have the opportunity to take theÌýcheckÌýagain the following year. Pupils in year 2 will not be able to retake the check.
MTC	AnnulÌýthe resultsÌýifÌýit isÌýafter the check window andÌýthe checkÌýcannot beÌýretaken.
KS2 tests	AnnulÌýthe relevantÌýresults.
KS2Ìýteacher assessment	AmendÌýor annulÌýjudgements.

Assessment	Minor maladministration
RBA	Email to close,Ìýciting near missÌýandÌýactions to take,Ìýno impactÌýor change toÌýpupil data.
Phonics screening check	Email to close,Ìýciting near missÌýandÌýactions to take,Ìýno impactÌýor change toÌýpupil data.
MTC	Email to close, citing near miss and actions to take, no impact or change to pupil data.ÌýAffected pupils can retakeÌýtheÌýcheckÌýifÌýit is stillÌýwithin theÌýcheckÌýwindow.
KS2 tests	Email to close, citing near miss and actions to take, no impact or change toÌýpupil data.
KS2Ìýteacher assessment	Email to close, citing near miss and actions to take, no impactÌýor change toÌýpupil data.

Treatment of single test annulmentsÌýinÌýkey stageÌý2Ìý

Where a pupil’sÌýresult for aÌýsingle test paper in either English grammar, punctuation and spelling or mathematicsÌýis annulled following a maladministration investigation,ÌýSTA will recordÌýtheÌýpupil’sÌýoverall outcomeÌýin the relevant subjectÌýas ‘At standard’ (AS) if the pupilÌýachievesÌýenoughÌýrawÌýmarks on the non-annulled test papersÌýto meet the expected standard.ÌýThe outcome for the individual test paperÌýthatÌýwasÌýannulled will remain as ‘Q’.

This information will be reflected in the performance data published by DfE.Ìý

If aÌýpupilÌýdoes not receive an overall test result forÌýa KS2Ìýsubject,Ìýthe school’s report for parentsÌýshouldÌýfocus on the pupil’sÌýKS2Ìýteacher assessmentÌýoutcomes.ÌýThis will also support theÌýpupil’s transition into secondary school.Ìý

Further actions and investigationsÌý

AllÌýmaladministrationÌýdecisions areÌýfinal and there is no right of appeal. Once STA has made a decision,ÌýitÌýwill notify the school andÌýconfirmÌýthis byÌýletter,Ìýexplaining the decision and what actionsÌýthe school needs to take. STA will also copy theÌýschool’s relevantÌýlocal authority.Ìý

It is the school’s responsibility to report anyÌýamendments or annulments of pupils’ outcomes orÌýresults to parentsÌýfor allÌýchecks andÌýassessments.Ìý

The term ‘parent’ is used in this document,Ìýas definedÌýinÌý,ÌýasÌýany person who:ÌýÌý

• is aÌýparent of a childÌý

• is not a parent of a child but has parental responsibility for the childÌý

• has care of the childÌý

It isÌýalsoÌýthe school’s responsibility to report anyÌýamendments orÌýannulments of pupils’ outcomes or results to the school’sÌýaccountable body.ÌýTheÌýschool’sÌýaccountable body is responsible forÌýcarrying out any further investigation and should consider referrals to TRAÌýwhereÌýappropriate.Ìý

Further informationÌýÌý

If you have any further questions,ÌýwantÌýadviceÌýorÌýneedÌýto reportÌýallegations of maladministration,Ìýyou canÌýeither:Ìý

• emailÌýSTA.maladministration@education.gov.ukÌý

• callÌýthe nationalÌýcurriculum assessments helplineÌýonÌý0300 303 3013Ìý

Schools and local authorities can alsoÌýself-reportÌýconcerns relating toÌýtheÌýKS2 tests, KS2 teacher assessment and phonics screening checkÌýwithin their own schools by completing the ‘ReportÌýmaladministration allegations’ form within the ‘Incidents’ sectionÌýofÌýtheÌý.ÌýÌý

For details ofÌýthe numbers,ÌýsourcesÌýand types of maladministrationÌýallegations that STA received inÌýpreviousÌýacademic years, you can refer toÌýSTA’s maladministration reports.