The government is set to publish enrichment benchmarks for schools this week, alongside announcing a £132.5 million scheme to fund activities in schools.

Headteachers, academy leaders, trustees, school support staff and charity leaders are among those recognised for their services to education in the King’s birthday honours.

Ofsted inspectors will look more closely at whether pupils with “barriers to their learning or wellbeing” are achieving well in schools from September.

Pupils will learn how to identify plants, animals and fungi, as well as learn about climate change and habitats, under subject content proposals for the new natural history GCSE.

The number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has risen by 5.2% to more than 1.8 million over the past year, according to data released by the Department for Education.

The new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government has clashed with head teachers over pay within weeks of taking office.