Tens of thousands of children returned to school in England – ending months of remote learning.

All pupils could return to class under the first step of easing the lockdown restrictions.

Secondary schools can stagger the return of children over the week to allow mass testing.

Those pupils are being asked to take three voluntary Covid-19 tests on site and one a home over the first 14 days.

They will then be given home-testing kits to check twice-weekly.

The Department for Education (DfE) also recommended that secondary school students wear face coverings wherever social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.

Primary school children are not being asked to carry out Covid-19 tests or wear face masks on their return.