More than 3 million rapid coronavirus tests have been conducted in primary and secondary schools and colleges since the start of term, new figures show.

And 97 per cent of schools and colleges are now ready to deliver tests to help curb the spread of the virus, according to the Department for Education.

The figures will provide “vital reassurance” that the necessary testing infrastructure will be in place ahead of wider reopenings, the department said.

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The government has reiterated its commitment to setting out its school return plans on 22 February, with students returning from 8 March “if possible”.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “At any other time, it would have been unimaginable to suggest that a testing programme of this scale and impact could be delivered at the speed we have seen.

Rapid Covid testing: ‘An effective way to help keep schools safe’

“I am grateful and humbled by the actions that everyone working in education has taken to pull together and deliver this programme. Alongside the wider protective measures in place that we must all continue following, this asymptomatic testing helps break chains of transmission by taking people who are infectious but don’t know it out of circulation.

“I hope it gives parents and students the same confidence it gives me - that every possible action is being taken to get all students back into education as soon as possible.”

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We have rolled out rapid testing in schools and universities at great pace to help drive down transmission rates among school-age children, and college and university students.

“Having the vast majority of schools and colleges ready and able to offer tests is a huge achievement, and I am so grateful to the incredible staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to make this happen.

“Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it, so rapid regular testing offers a reliable and effective way to help keep schools safe and children learning.”