There's a brilliant ad appearing on TV at the moment, promoting School Diplomas. Produced on behalf of the Department of Education, the commercial shows rapper Kano completing the recording of his new single, then walking through the crowd of technicians and production staff.

As the 'staff' are identified by name and role, we realise that they are not professionals, but actually kids studying for diplomas in the key roles of construction, sound, PR, Business Admin etc.

It's a superb example of solving the problem creatively by looking within. How do we encourage kids to take up the Diploma (which connects academic study with workplace learning)? Why don't we show students actually producing something - and it's a brilliant and effective use of a celebrity who makes sense in terms of connecting with the target audience.

You can watch the ad here

Naturally, the ad has created some opposition (great ideas always do). The Times covered it with the headline "Foul-mouthed rapper helps Ed Balls". But reading Kano's response in an interview published online here in The Guardian I think his heart is in the right place. But maybe the next single should speak out against knife and gun culture, Kano?