Three of the knighthoods have been given to head teachers - Alan Davies, of Copland Community School and Technology Centre in Brent, west London, Bruce Liddington, of Northampton School for Boys, and Michael Wilshaw, of St Bonaventure's School in Newham, east London.

BBC: Head wins honour for saving school

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) believes that cuts being considered by the school of medicine at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London will damage the quality of teaching.

BBC: Call to save medical school jobs