I am today announcing that the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), a new Executive agency of the Department for Education, will commence operating on Monday 3 October. The STA will be responsible for the development and delivery of all statutory assessments from early years to the end of key stage 3.

This work was previously carried out by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, which—subject to the will of Parliament—will cease its final remaining functions in March 2012.