Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the loss of key stage 2 assessment papers from the most recent academic year, what options for redress his Department has with Capita.

The Standard and Testing Agency’s (STA) contract with Capita contains a range of performance metrics that allow for a reduced fee to be paid in the event of performance levels dropping below a defined threshold. The contract is actively managed by departmental staff. Where performance levels are unsatisfactory, the levers in the contract are used alongside constructive dialogue with the supplier to ensure improved performance in future. In extreme cases of poor performance, the contract with Capita allows for a variety of remedial actions to be taken. Dependent on the circumstances, these could include termination of the agreement or a temporary period of closer control of the service by the Department. STA makes use of financial levers to incentivise performance by Capita.

STA will be working with Capita to conduct a thorough review of our processes for future test cycles, to reduce the possibility of missing papers occurring in the future. The Department will be involving schools and other stakeholders in this process and will communicate the outcome to them later in the academic year.