Exam board Edexcel could bid to run Sats

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But if the board wins the contract, it would be left with only six months to hire markers and organise question papers before 1.2million children take the tests. Headteachers fear there will not be enough time to ensure the success of next year's Sats.

An Edexcel spokeswoman said the board would be prepared to consider bidding to run the 2009 tests when Government exam chiefs put the contract out to tender next month.

The board said: "We know that the National Assessment Agency is preparing its bid specification for 2009. We'll review that and consider our response."

The future of the tests was thrown into doubt after the £156million contract with ETS Europe was terminated "by mutual agreement" two weeks ago.

A string of blunders affected marking this year, delaying results for 11- and 14-year-olds across England.

More than 100,000 pupils broke up for the summer holidays still waiting for their grades.

Speculation that Edexcel could take over grew after it was announced the board would be helping the assessment agency with appeals over this year's results.

Edexcel would provide "back office support" for the marking review process, which is expected to see a surge in appeals from schools.

Jerry Jarvis, managing director of Edexcel, said he was pleased to be able to assist.

"It is crucial that teachers, and students and their parents, have faith in the outcomes of students' work. We are very proud to have successfully run the national curriculum test contract from 2004 to 2007," he added.

England's other two major exam boards, AQA and OCR, have reportedly ruled themselves out of bidding for the contract, leaving Edexcel, owned by publishing group Pearson, as the most likely contender.