Markers who had previously worked for ETS Europe, which was contracted to do the initial marking, will be contacted by NAA to arrange working for the government’s school exams agency instead.

The agency is stepping in with immediate effect, following delays in publishing the results for the tests taken by 11 and 14 year olds in England.

Earlier this month children’s secretary, Ed Balls, announced the details of an inquiry into problems with this year’s Key Stage 2 and 3 SATs results.