It's Wednesday, so l must be in Sunderland! Today l was opening Oxclose school, a specialist performing arts school in the Washington part of the city.

We are opening more and more new schools, and by 2009 we will be opening four a week, but it is always a really special occasion.  Everyone is excited about their new environment. Pupils are proud of their school and staff feel upbeat and valued.  At Oxclose the media were out in force interviewing me, the head, the leader of the council and the local MP (see TV clips: http://www.oxcloseschool.net/int_bsf_video.html ).

Then back to London for meetings & more meetings.