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Standards and Testing Agency gov.uk

Key stage 2 tests: how to become a marker

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Markers for the national curriculum tests are recruited by Pearson, the Standards and Testing Agency’s (STA) external supplier. Pearson manages the relationship with markers.

  • KS2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests

    • All markers will need to be able to work accurately at speed and demonstrate a positive approach to pupils’ work.

    Teachers in independent schools are only eligible to apply for a clerical marking role, unless they also have recent KS2 experience as a qualified teacher in a maintained school.

    If you are subject to a teaching ban or prohibition order, you will not be offered a contract.

    Each subject has a marking hierarchy, meaning that all new markers must start at entry level and can then work their way up through the hierarchy. New markers can apply for any subject through one of three roles:

  • have at least 3 A levels or equivalent post-16 academic qualifications recognised in the UK
  • not be required to be qualified teachers or graduates – Pearson will train them to accurately apply the mark scheme for clerical items at the required standard
  • have a degree or equivalent qualification
  • have qualified teacher status (QTS) and a valid teacher reference number (TRN)
  • be a primary school teacher, or a secondary school teacher in the relevant subject
  • need at least one full academic year’s experience teaching the national curriculum for England
  • demonstrate subject-specific expertise and knowledge for the relevant subject to mark pupil responses classified as ‘regular’ items
  • use professional judgement and subject-specific knowledge to accurately apply the mark scheme
  • have a degree or equivalent qualification
  • be a primary school teacher, or a secondary school teacher in the relevant subject
  • need at least one full academic year’s experience teaching the national curriculum for England
  • demonstrate subject-specific expertise and knowledge for the relevant subject to mark pupil responses classified as ‘specialist’ items

    • This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/key-stage-2-tests-how-to-become-a-marker

    Officially imported this from Standards and Testing Agency’s own source and shows an extract. If you work there, claiming the profile and verifying the domain lets you choose to show the full text here.

    Provenance

    Organization
    Standards and Testing Agency — imported from official source
    Official source
    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/standards-and-testing-agency.atom ATOM
    Imported
    September 28, 2026 09:00
    Versions
    1 recorded
    Identity
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/key-stage-2-tests-how-to-become-a-marker#2026-09-28T08:00:03Z

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