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With pupils across England set to return to the classroom in less than a week, Education Minister Nick Gibb has confirmed that asymptomatic Covid-19 tests will not be compulsory within schools.

The school day could be made longer to help children catch up on missed learning, reports suggest. Government ministers are discussing the possibility of extending the school day so that children who have missed out on vital teaching during lockdown have more time in the classroom.

Ministers are contemplating a phased return of pupils which would see primary schools returning to the classroom first. The Department for Education is also considering partially reopening secondary schools so that children in Years 10 and 12, who have exams next year, return as soon as possible.

Schools will be allowed to shut a day early so staff have a “proper break” from identifying potential coronavirus cases ahead of Christmas.

Wales has cancelled all GCSE, AS level and A level exams in summer 2021 as a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the disruption it is causing to learning, education minister Kirsty Williams has announced.