We are now running late for Lord Speaker, (the 75 minute tours having taken almost two hours), but there was just time for John to show off the Chapel of St. Mary Undercroft (the Crypt), one of the oldest bits of the Palace having survived the fire in the 1830s. 

Everyone got up on time, dressed and ready, and at Parliament a little early even. A Summer School first. Let's carry on as we've started.

Just got back from the Theatre. The Mid-Winter's Tale isn't one of Shakepear's easiest (or best written) plays, but the second half in particular was terrific, completly with bloon dancing and a happy eneding. Everyone else off to bed now.

I just had a call from a local TV producer. Will we be on the news tomorrow? Maybe. I'll post on here whether we're likely to be on tomorrow.

All the schools have broken up this evening to get and get some food somewhere along the South Bank, ahead of out trip to The Old Vic and the five star production of The Midwinter's Tale. We managed to take this photo before we all went out seperate ways though:

Next up our first meeting with Defence Minister, and former Portland student, Kevan Jones MP. He answered a good hours worth of questions, some on being from Bassetlaw (Shireoaks), others about defence. Did he think he would be a Defence Minister when he was 16? No, not really. He'd not even thought about standing for Parliament back then. 

...and late already. Happily the police outside Parliament let us queue jump and everyone got in to see most of Home Office Parliamentary Questions - the first time in the Chamber. John asked a question about drugs, which we'll add a link to later

A quick look at BBC weather says things aren't going to be great next week:

There is a lot of walking, if you're coming on the school bring an umbrella and raincoat (if you can).

And just because it's wet, doesn't mean the Underground will not still be hot, so please bring water too. 

Maybe it will be sunny by Thursday?

The Summer School set off to a great start with the trip to EDF's coal (and in the next few years, gas) power station. We were treated to a tour of the site, seeing the vast hoppers where coal is dellivered, the control room and the somewhat steamy turbine hall. We were also introduced to some of the new technologies the plant has installed to make it more environmentally resposible.

Following a quick lunch we had a presention on some of the challenges facing the UK and the Energy Industry. 

All-in-all a great day, our first chance to meet each other properly, which was good fun.

A big thank you too to EDF who are sponsoring the school, along with First Hull Trains and A4e Learning Proivders. EDF have a particularly busy week coming up with Green Britain Day next Friday.