Teacher Ambassador Programme January 2024

What can you expect?

• an inspiring and intensive three days in Westminster
• 70 teachers from across the UK coming together to learn more about what goes on here
• tours of the Palace of Westminster, with access to areas you won't have seen before
• talks and Q&As from Members of both Houses and from parliamentary staff
• workshops from Gold Ambassadors who will share their experiences with you and give you ideas for delivery back in your school/college
• opportunities to network with Primary, Secondary, SEND, and Post-16/FE teachers from across the UK
• access to a wide range of free teaching resources and ideas
• accreditation as a UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador after submission and assessment of your portfolio
• your certificate and Ambassador badge - display them with pride!

Travel Arrangements

The Parliamentary Travel Office are looking after your transport arrangements and you'll receive an email by mid-January, containing details/collection codes.

Please do let us know if you haven’t received yours by 15 January...after checking your junk mail.

Please ensure that you bring your return ticket and (where relevant) all seat reservations with you to London as we're unable to provide copies or extra tickets.

Train Travel

If travelling by train, you’ll need to collect your tickets from a ticket machine in advance of your journey. Please allow sufficient time to catch the train that's been booked for you.  Unfortunately, we can't pay for extra tickets so if you do miss the transport booked, it will be your responsibility to make and pay for alternative arrangements for getting to London.

Please also note that engineering works do take place on Transport for London (TfL) and National Rail lines at weekends.   Please check for engineering works before travel in case alternative routes are needed.  The TfL website provides the most up-to-date information about any planned London Underground closures www.tfl.gov.uk

If the tickets booked for you are advance purchase tickets for specific times, you'll only be able to travel at the time stated. These tickets are not transferable to other trains so please check your ticket for details. Please note that your train tickets also include Zone 1 underground or bus travel to enable you to get from your arrival station to the Travelodge London Central Elephant and Castle accommodation on the Sunday and from Parliament to your departure station on the Wednesday.

Oyster Cards

Please use the Oyster card which we'll send you separately by post in January for daily travel between your accommodation and Westminster or (for those of you not staying in the Travelodge) to use from your home, hotel, or station to Westminster. These Oyster cards have credit on them which will cover the journeys required each day (you'll need to meet the cost of any other additional travel on the Oyster cards). Oyster cards must be returned to us before you leave on Wednesday so that we can recycle them.

Plane Travel

If you're travelling to London by plane, you'll be sent by email a copy of your booking information with flight times and a booking reference number which you will need to check in online or at the airport. Please ensure that you have photographic ID, either passport or driving licence, with you, as you'll not be allowed on the flight without this. Please ensure that your name on the e-ticket is exactly the same as on the photographic ID you’ll be using. Please also check with the relevant airline regarding check-in times prior to departure, as we cannot be responsible for missed flights, and cannot provide any alternative travel arrangements.

We've booked for you to bring one piece of hold luggage up to 20kg with you. Please see your e-ticket for further information. Please also see the section below on security regulations at Parliament about luggage size.

If you're flying into or out of Stansted airport, you'll also receive train tickets for your journey from the airport to London and return (Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports are covered by your Oyster card). Please also see the section above about the Oyster cards for your daily journeys from your accommodation to Westminster which will be sent to you separately by post.

Accommodation

There will be 70 of you attending the Teacher Ambassador Programme and accommodation for the 60 of you from outside London/South East is at Travelodge London Central Elephant and Castle. As this is a London location, street noise is not unusual at any time of day or night.  If you are a light sleeper, we advise you to bring a pair of earplugs, just in case.

Address: Ceramic Building, 87 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DH Tel: 08719 846585

The Travelodge hotel is set back from the main road just behind Southwark Playhouse and opposite Mercato Metropolitano.

All Travelodge rooms are single-occupancy with bathroom en-suite. Please note that full breakfast is included and available from 6:00am. Your main meal each day will be at lunchtime in Bellamy’s Restaurant in Parliament where you’ll be provided with a substantial 2- or 3-course meal (feedback on Bellamy's lunches from previous teachers is always very positive).

Use www.tfl.gov.uk or download the Citymapper.com app to check the best routes from your arrival train/underground station to Elephant and Castle station (Bakerloo Line and Northern Line…follow exit for South Bank University, then left and left again) or Borough station (Northern Line…turn right out of station). London Blackfriars (Bankside/Tate Modern exit) and London Bridge stations are also within walking distance (15-20 minutes), especially useful if you are travelling by Thameslink (e.g. from King's Cross or St Pancras).

Getting from the Travelodge to Parliament

The Travelodge at Elephant and Castle is a leisurely 30-minute walk to Parliament or a one-stop underground ride from Elephant and Castle Station Bakerloo Line to Lambeth North Station (5 minutes on the tube and then a 10-minute walk. Outside Lambeth North Station, cross at the traffic lights diagonally and follow the road underneath all the Waterloo Station bridges. You’ll emerge in front of St Thomas’ Hospital where you can cross the road on to Westminster Bridge). If it's raining or you'd prefer to go all the way by tube, stay on the Bakerloo line to Embankment then change to the Circle/District line westbound and travel one stop to Westminster (total journey time around 25 minutes).

If you would prefer not to take the tube or walk, alternative bus routes (10 mins) are available from St George’s Road (Bus Stop Z) outside the London College of Communication at Elephant and Castle. However, buses are usually crowded in rush hour, and it might be easier to get off at St Thomas’ Hospital (Stop D) and walk across Westminster Bridge as traffic across the bridge can be heavy.

It’s also a good idea to research an alternative route on tfl.gov.uk just in case there are severe delays on the Bakerloo, or District/Circle/Jubilee lines (which stop at Westminster Station itself).

Arriving at Parliament

Arrival on Monday and Wednesday (Portcullis House): If arriving by underground, take no. 4 exit (Bridge St) from Westminster Station and turn left out of the station with Big Ben on your right and Westminster Bridge and the river ahead of you. Walk towards the river embankment and follow the building you’ve exited round to the left where you’ll find the public entrance to Portcullis House (no. 5 on the map). Security at Portcullis House can take up to 15 minutes.

Arrival on Tuesday (Education Centre): Take no. 4 exit (Bridge St) from Westminster Station and turn right out of the station towards the traffic lights. Cross Bridge St on your left so that you’re adjacent to the Houses of Parliament on your left, with Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey on your right. Keep walking straight on down St Margaret St with Parliament on your left and Parliament Square/Westminster Abbey on your right (see attached map of the Parliamentary Estate). Walk the length of the Houses of Parliament and continue into Abingdon St. After the Houses of Parliament, you’ll see Victoria Tower Gardens on your left. Enter the gardens, walk towards the river, and the Parliamentary Education Centre is the single-storey modern building on your left (no. 13 on the map). The walk from Portcullis House/Westminster Tube Station to the Education Centre takes about 10 minutes, and security clearance at the Education Centre can take up to 10 minutes.

Please factor all these timings into your daily schedule. If you are running late for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible as this will impact upon the first session of the day.

Security

Security is of primary concern when on the Parliamentary Estate. Each day you'll be asked to go through an airport-style security scan and you'll be given a visitor badge which must be worn and be visible at all times.

Every time you exit and re-enter the Parliamentary Estate you'll be scanned again.

Any metal items (mobile phones, glasses cases, badges, belts etc.) should be removed and carried in bags before entering the building

Once through security, a member of the team will be on hand to welcome you.

Arrival Times

The first session on Monday 29 January begins at 09.00 in the Attlee Suite on the first floor of Portcullis House (marked 5 on the map of the Parliamentary Estate).  You will first need to pass through airport-style security, which can take 15 minutes.

The first session on Tuesday 30 January will begin at 09.00 in the Parliamentary Education Centre (marked 13 on the map of the Parliamentary Estate). You will first need to pass through airport-style security, which can take 10 minutes.

The first session on Wednesday 31 January will begin at 09:15 in the Attlee Suite on the first floor of Portcullis House (marked 5 on the map of the Parliamentary Estate).  You'll first need to pass through airport-style security, which can take 15 minutes. If you're staying in accommodation, remember to bring your luggage with you on the Wednesday.

Behaviour Code

Whether you are a visitor or working in Parliament at Westminster or elsewhere, there are clear guidelines in place on how you should be treated, and how you should treat others. Please read UK Parliament's Behaviour Code before the course begins.

Miscellaneous

We recommend that you bring as little as possible with you each day as we'll be moving between various parts of the estate.

Please note that only headwear of a religious nature is permitted to be worn inside Parliament.

Photography is not permitted anywhere in Parliament apart from in St Stephen’s Hall and Westminster Hall.

When not in public areas you must be accompanied by a pass holder at all times.  Please be aware of this throughout the three days – visitors are not allowed to move around the estate independently.

On the Wednesday, you'll need to check out of the accommodation and bring your luggage with you to the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House where it can be stored. Please note that luggage must be no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 23cm. Any luggage larger than this may not be accepted by security staff and will need to be deposited in the left luggage office at your mainline station of departure before you arrive at Parliament.

Please ensure mobile phones and other devices are on silent at all times during the three days. We'll be providing you with a guest password for Parliament’s wi-fi so that you can use social media to tell colleagues about your experience @UKParlEducation    #TeachUKParl

Refreshments at Parliament

Regular coffee/tea breaks will be provided each day. Please remember to self-clear after refreshment breaks so that areas are kept clean for other visitors to Parliament. We recommend that you bring with you an empty bottle/flask which you can re-fill at various water fountains around the estate and in the restaurant at lunch time.

You'll be provided with a two- or three-course lunch each day and the restaurant will be informed of all dietary requests and will ensure that there is a range of suitable food available.

Evenings

Sunday evening: there are no planned events, and the evening has been left free for you to settle into your accommodation. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops in the local vicinity (especially towards London Bridge and the South Bank). You may want to organise your own informal get-together via the Facebook group we'll set up but this is entirely up to you.

Monday early evening: we'll be hosting a welcome reception for you, your schools’ MPs, and for guest speakers.  Afternoon tea will be provided and the event is scheduled to take place between 4:00pm and 5.00pm in the Attlee Suite. After the reception, you're free to spend the evening as you wish.

Tuesday evening: you're free to make your own arrangements for Tuesday evening, but please note that these should only begin after the programme has finished, which will be around 5.00pm.

On both Monday and Tuesday evenings, you are also welcome to visit the galleries in the House of Commons or the House of Lords.

Medical information

If you are ill during the course and unable to attend the day’s programme, please call the Business Support Team on 0207 219 4496 to inform us. Please note that prolonged or total absence from the programme due to illness will require a doctor’s note. The nearest private doctor’s clinic to your accommodation is London Doctors’ Clinic at Bank Chambers, 2nd Floor, 6-10 Borough High Street, London, SE1 9QQ. Book here for appointments. For emergencies only, there is an A & E department at St Thomas’ Hospital (directly opposite the Houses of Parliament). There are plenty of pharmacies in the area around your Travelodge.

Dress code

The dress code is smart casual. We’ll be doing a lot of walking so please wear comfortable shoes.

Smoking

The Parliamentary Estate operates a no-smoking policy and visitors have to exit the premises to smoke or to use e-cigarettes. Please be aware that it may not be possible to re-enter the premises without a pass holder to escort you back in, and you'll need to pass through security every time you re-enter the building.

Parliamentary Sitting Times

There will be opportunities for you to explore certain areas of the Estate as a member of the public after the programme has finished each day (see opening times below). Please note that all finishing times are approximate and subject to the business of both Houses.

House of Commons

Monday: 2.30pm-10.30pm
Tuesday: 11.30am-7.30pm
Wednesday:  11.30am-7.30pm    

House of Lords

Monday: 2.30pm-10.00pm
Tuesday: 2.30pm-10.00pm
Wednesday: 3.00pm-10.00pm

Westminster Hall

Tuesday & Wednesday: 9.30am-11.30am & 2.30pm-5.30pm

Contact Numbers

Prior to 28 Jan: David Carr 020 7219 3436

Sunday 28 Jan: David Carr work mobile 07917 488114

Monday – Wednesday 29 - 31 January

David Carr: 020 7219 3436 or 07917 488114 

Aisling Munnelly: work mobile 07754 047366

Ciya Vyas: work mobile 07864 685041

The Business Support Team number is 020 7219 4496 if you need to contact a member of staff urgently during the course. They are available 9:00-17:00 Monday - Friday and will be able to pass messages to one of the team.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We're really looking forward to meeting you all...only 45 days to go!

Aisling, Ciya and David

teachertraining@parliament.uk