• Key Stage 2 SATs • News
The 2026 KS2 SATs results reached schools 9 days later than planned. The government has set up an independent review into what went wrong, led by Dame Christine Gilbert. This article explains what happened, what the review is looking at and what it means for 2027. We will update it when the review’s findings are published.
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The Quick Answer
- KS2 results were due on 7 July 2026 but reached schools on 16 July 2026.
- The tests are delivered by an external contractor, Pearson Education Limited, which told the Standards and Testing Agency on 1 July that it could not return results accurately on time.
- The Education Secretary set up an independent review led by Dame Christine Gilbert, with a final report due in October 2026.
- The 2027 tests and results day are unchanged: tests from 10 May and results on Tuesday 6 July 2027.
What Happened
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2024 | Pearson awarded the contract to deliver the KS2 tests after an open procurement |
| Week of 11 May 2026 | Year 6 pupils sit the KS2 tests |
| Late May to early June 2026 | Test scripts are marked |
| 1 July 2026 | Pearson tells STA and DfE it is not confident it can return results accurately on 7 July |
| 2 July 2026 | Pearson announces publicly that results will be delayed to 16 July and apologises |
| 16 July 2026 | Results released to schools |
| 17 July 2026 | Terms of reference published for an independent review |
Under the contract, Pearson is responsible for all test logistics, including delivering and collecting papers, marking and returning results to schools.
What the Review Will Look At
The review was set up by the Secretary of State for Education and is led by Dame Christine Gilbert. It will consider, as a minimum:
- what went wrong: the precise issues that led to the delay, when they emerged and how they were communicated
- why it happened: including what Pearson’s bid said it could deliver and how it performed against key milestones
- oversight: the roles of the Standards and Testing Agency, the Department for Education and Ofqual
- the contract: whether the process to award it was robust
- the future: what changes could improve the delivery of tests in future years and rebuild trust with schools and families
| Indicative timeline | Stage |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | Review launched |
| August to September 2026 | Evidence gathered |
| October 2026 | Final report submitted to the Education Secretary |
The government has said these timings may change.
What It Meant for Reviews of Marking
In 2026, schools could request a review of marking from 16 July until 11:59pm on Monday 7 September, with outcomes due by 30 September. For comparison, the 2027 window runs from results day on 6 July until Friday 16 July, with outcomes due on Wednesday 8 September.
How Did Pupils Do in 2026?
National figures published by the Department for Education show 63% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined in 2026, up from 62% in 2025. See our full breakdown of KS2 SATs results for 2026.
What It Means for 2027
Please note: the government has not announced any change to the 2027 timetable. The KS2 tests take place from Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May 2027 and results are due to schools on Tuesday 6 July 2027.
Any changes to how the tests are delivered in future are likely to follow the review’s recommendations. We will update this article when the report is published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the 2026 SATs results late?
Pearson, the contractor that delivers and marks the KS2 tests, told the Standards and Testing Agency on 1 July 2026 that it could not return results accurately on 7 July. Results were released on 16 July.
Who is leading the review?
Dame Christine Gilbert is leading the independent review, set up by the Secretary of State for Education.
When will the review report?
The indicative timeline says the final report will go to the Education Secretary in October 2026.
Will the 2027 results be delayed?
No change has been announced. Results are due to schools on Tuesday 6 July 2027.
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Sources: Department for Education, Review of KS2 national curriculum test operations delivery: terms of reference (17 July 2026), KS2 tests: applying for a review of pupils’ test results, 2027 KS2 assessment and reporting arrangements and Key stage 2 attainment 2025/26. Last updated 14 October 2026.
