Secondary students should be tested three times on site on their return to school, the government has announced.

Students will also be required to take one test at home on their return, the Department for Education said.

To allow for this, there will be some flexibility about the return to secondary school from 8 March, the DfE said.

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Twice weekly at-home testing will then be introduced for secondary students. Schools should retain a small testing site for those who find it difficult to test at home.

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Students can return to the classroom after their first negative test, the DfE said. There is no need for a follow-up PCR test if the initial test is conducted on-site. If pupils get a positive result, they must go home and self-isolate.

Last week it was reported that schools would be responsible for the mass testing of secondary students once on arrival.