Passport help please!

[DoItRight]

Im a teacher and have been asked to go on a school trip abroad on sat 23rd. I've been on the reserve list for ages but didn't think I'd be needed so was slow about sending off my passport renewal. The passport office has had the app for just over 2 weeks.

I rang today to see if I could upgrade my application and the person I spoke to seemed acted as if I was asking for the holy Grail! She couldn't put me through to the right dept at the time. She has requested thy call me back but said this might take 4 days and the upgrade might take a week!
Please can you give me ideas of what I do next? I'm so worried that I've put the school trip in jeopardy now!

ring again and hope that you get to speak to someone who cares about their job!

I am surprised that it is taking so long actually. the last few I have sent off - DH, Mine and DS for renewal - and then mine for name change later - all came back within a week or so.

Yes, just ring again. You still have a week and half to get the passport - so fingers crossed.

Have just rung back, and spoke to someone who knew their stuff. Apparently it's at Durham who are having new printers installed. So if I ring back tomorrow I should be able to upgrade (fingers crossed). Thanks for the reply, it's amazing how easy it is to panic about these things!