Everyone knows that kids with purple ties are gifted and talented. Everyone at Crown Woods college in south London, that is. Rowenna Davis has visited the school that colour-codes its pupils according to ability and her report makes fascinating reading. Here's headteacher Michael Murphy explaining the thinking behind the system:
"I felt if we made explicit the provision for high-ability children, we would be able to attract those children and their parents who would rather not put them in to take the Bexley 11-plus, but would feel comfortable with the type of provision we'd make for them - and that's entirely what's happened."
Separating the streams and teaching each one in its own colour-coded building has boosted GCSE results by 14 percentage points on the previous year. But there are signs of friction between the groups…
More education news from the Guardian
• By the whiskeriest of whiskers, Cambridge academics have failed to declare a vote of no confidence in the universities minister, David Willetts. Members of Cambridge University's governing body the Regent House backed a motion condemning the government's higher education policies by 681 votes yesterday - but exactly the same number voted against.
Student publication Varsity (@VarsityUK) says Jason Scott-Warren, an English fellow at Caius and a member of the Cambridge Academics Campaign for Higher Education, remains optimistic about the future of the movement against the policies of the coalition government:
"The fact that fully 50% of the voters believe that current government policies are disastrous sends out a very strong message. The coalition needs to go back to the drawing board, and to offer something better than its current package of cuts, fees, and market forces."
• The home secretary, Theresa May, has refused to accept an official "impact assessment" which puts the cost to Britain's economy of her curbs on overseas students at up to £3.6bn. May has dismissed her own department's official analysis of the impact of her visa policy has instead asked the migration advisory committee for a "better assessment and a better judgment of the true picture".
• What's going on at the Independent Schools Council, the body that speaks for private schools? It's just lost a second chief exec in three years, to say nothing of its chairman. Liz Lightfoot investigates.
• Students are fighting for places on the Oxbridge of catering courses. Louise Tickle sees them put through their culinary paces.
• Hesa figures show only 62% of last years graduates were in work since months after getting their degrees. Don't universities have a duty to ensure their students are employable?
Live Q&A on A-levels and clearing
We've got a Ucas adviser lined up to advise students and parents on what to do if results day doesn't go according to plan. It's a great opportunity to get your strategy straight before the big day. So start posting queries now - he'll be answering them from 1-3pm tomorrow.
Guardian view
Estelle Morris The new "teaching schools" are a beacon of hope and will carry a huge responsibility
On the Teacher Network
Find out how to make the most of a trip to one of the UK's 15 national parks using resources from the Guardian Teacher Network.
Education stories from around the web
• Expect a surge in middle-class dinner ladies at oversubscribed schools, warns the Telegraph, as parents exploit a new admissions policy that puts children of staff at the front of the queue.
• Andrew Christie is set to take responsibility for more than 150 London schools, becoming the first "tri-borough" head of children's services in the country, the Evening Standard reports. His new role is part of plans to save £11.8m a year by combining services at Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham; 114 people are expected to lose their jobs including the directors of children's services in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.
• The Anti Academies Alliance (@antiacademies) says Surrey schools have lost out to the tune of more than £2m because funding is being diverted to academies.
• A lecturer at Shanghai Maritime University in China has made owning an iPad compulsory for all students taking his course:
"Starting from next semester, I will be using an iPad to teach the financial course. All of the lectures, exams and information will only be given out in iPad compatibility mode.
I hope every student will go and purchase an iPad, because it represents the most modern thinking, and my students must like that. If you don't have money to buy one, then you [must] earn money. If you cannot earn a mere 4,000 yuan (£380) within the holiday, then you are not suited for this course."
Tweet I like
From @CamOverheard (which tweets overheard snippets from Cambridge University, obvs):
"What are you doing after exams?" "We've rented a folly, a neo-classical folly, in the Dorset countryside."
Tell the Guardian about your school's A-level and GCSE achievements
The Guardian would like to highlight your pupils' GCSE and A-level success this summer. We are asking schools to respond to a few quick questions about their pupils' results as soon as you receive them - on 18 August for A-levels and 25 August for GCSEs. Please take a note of the following web pages and return to them to fill in your results on those days:
We want to tell our readers how well your pupils have performed and are looking forward to mapping the success of young people across the country.
Education seminars from Guardian Professional
This seminar will provide independent advice and information on framing a research proposal, the process and pitfalls of a research degree and career prospects.
9 September, London.
Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile
Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.
20 September, London.
Using social media to enhance the student experience
As tuition fees rise, so too do student expectations. Social media is an effective, low-cost way to manage this challenge. This seminar will explore newly conceived best practice, techniques and strategy for all higher education staff: academic, communications, recruitment, marketing and strategy.
22 September, London.
Whether it's getting published, convincing an employer that you have transferable skills, or securing an academic post, you need to be fully prepared to achieve your goals. This course will help you identify career opportunities for those with research skills and specialist knowledge.
4-5 October, London.
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