t's the start of the summer term and House Master Martin Smith has his work cut out trying to help the boys concentrate while they revise for their exams. They also attend Speech Day, an open-air event in which the students dress in tails and individually tip their hats to the headmaster, and look forward to the inter-house relay race finals. West Acre has its hopes pinned on young Joel - until the sprinting star is injured in a rugby match.