The University of Birmingham revealed the institution’s innovative widening access policy at the launch of a spanking new hall of residence.

All incoming students who had attended state schools would no longer be liable for fees. Those privately educated, however, would still need to pay up for their university education.

The two categories of student would be identified by their footwear. As demonstration, the site manager handed a pair of (mainly pink) multi-coloured wellington boots to me and TPR. We were to wear these as a mark of our privately-educated status.

TPR’s mother, who was also in the audience at the launch, did not spot us.