Milton Keynes parents could be asked to test their children for Covid twice a week

The Telegraph reports that Parents of secondary school students will be asked to administer Covid-19 tests twice a week.

Schools in Milton Keynes are expected to open on March 8 as part of the Prime Minister's 'road map' out of lockdown, set to be announced on February 22.

Dr Mac Heath, MK Council’s director of children’s services, said: "nothing is off the table", when it comes to how schools will reopen in Milton Keynes.

Discussions are ongoing amongst the Milton Keynes Council as to whether schools should return at full capacity or be phased on a year group-by-year group basis.

According to The Telegraph, families will be asked to carry out lateral flow tests at home during term time under plans drawn up by the Government.

Education unions struck a deal with ministers that states that schools will only oversee the mass testing of secondary students one at the beginning of the term.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which is the largest union representing secondary heads, previously said that pupils should be given home testing kits rather than forcing schools to become “field hospitals”.

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the ASCL, said: “We think that is a good idea. It reinforces the responsibility for families rather than assuming that bits of the state, like schools, will carry out the tests.”

According to The Telegraph, official from the Department for Education (DfE) will meet with union bosses on Thursday to finalise plans for mass testing secondary school pupils upon their return.