Secondary schools in England received scaled KS2 SATs scores on or after 17 July 2026, days after primary schools gained access to the 2026 results. The nine-day delay from the original 7 July release date stemmed from technical issues with Pearson's marking platform and pupil data transfer.
Pearson announced the postponement on 2 July and apologised for the disruption. Key stage 2 test results became available on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal from 7:30 am on 16 July for primary schools, local authorities, multi-academy trusts and key stage 3 schools with a year 7 intake. The raw score to scaled score conversion tables appeared on GOV.UK at 9 am that same day.
Yet secondary schools did not receive the scaled scores until 17 or 18 July. This gap matters. Secondary leaders use the data to set incoming year 7 pupils, plan interventions and prepare for the new academic year that begins in September. Without it, vital weeks for effective transition slip away.
A trust told Schools Week that the delay in providing scaled scores to secondary schools showed a complete lack of understanding of how vital the data is for planning and accountability. The remark captures a wider frustration. Timely, accurate assessment data underpins teaching decisions, pupil grouping and institutional improvement. When systems falter, the cost falls on pupils, teachers and school leaders who must manage the consequences.
Raw scores required for expected standard
In 2026 the raw marks needed for a scaled score of 100, the expected standard, stood at 56 out of 110 in mathematics, 25 out of 50 in reading and 34 out of 70 in grammar, punctuation and spelling. These thresholds offer one snapshot of pupil performance. Schools rely on the full scaled scores to interpret that performance in context and to compare cohorts year on year.
An independent review into the marking and results delay, led by Ofsted chair Christine Gilbert, is under way. A report is expected in October 2026. The government has also extended the deadline for schools to request reviews of marking or clerical errors from 24 July to 7 September.