Tutoring an Infant to Grow into an 'British Gentleman' – Does It Justify the Money?

Child education concept
The firm responsible for the listing states that what looks like "extravagance or peculiarity" is in fact "deliberate commitment in early education".

"Parents located in North London wants to find an exceptional and qualified instructor to support their youngest child on his first steps to becoming an British gentleman."

When reading this post, you might readily miss the term "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.

However, it might be the most important aspect of this unusual job advert, as it seeks to hire a tutor for a one-year-old.

Many of submissions have already been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their call for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".

Over the last few weeks, the post has received interest throughout the press, with numerous asking why?

Progressive Approach

A tutoring expert, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, said that in spite of initial doubt, he found the plan "visionary", and "progressive".

When he consulted the family, he said they recognized the unusual nature of their demand, and how young their son is.

However, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already become established".

But what does the family refer to by "cultural bias"?

It's "comprehensive", the expert replied. "How you eat, the manner you speak".

He explained the firstborn had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family explained to him they wished to avoid history to happen again with their new baby.

The intention: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from the very start.

Tutoring discussion
The education firm state the advert has sparked a larger discussion about how parents perceive education, advantage and the role of family background in learning.

Natural Absorption

"A great deal of the development at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," stated the CEO.

It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they wish to impart.

The consultant noted the tutor needed to be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".

"The tutor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.

Cost Not Relevant

The family informed Adam the selected educator should preferably also have knowledge of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, creative fields and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a wide range of passions.

Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".

In the family's minds, helping their son grow into a "English gentleman" will lead to achievement and provide access.

"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he notes.

However, in spite of all this instruction in "Britishness", could the child absorb so-called cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?

"Yes", said Adam. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.

Overly Optimistic

A number of in the private teaching field who share similar doubts.

Another CEO, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the journey of embracing two identities, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."

Peter noted that he had emigrated from China to the United Kingdom at the time of seven, and had been brought up knowing and practicing two backgrounds. He went on to be educated at the University of Cambridge.

Peter Cui portrait
The executive was the first person born in the People's Republic of China to be elected to the position of Treasurer of the Cambridge Union.

"The notion that a single person can act as a representation of Britishness, an individual who can somehow transplant the qualities of a UK sophisticate onto a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.

"Based on my background, engaging a quintessentially English tutor from babyhood will not automatically produce the outcome they desire.

"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many of the experiences they desire for their son."

He stated: "The reality is, personal identity can not be forced from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."

Acquiring Englishness

Of course, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be educated – and sold.

"In my view the situation that the world holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating

Allen White
Allen White

A seasoned travel writer and cultural analyst with over a decade of experience exploring remote regions and documenting unique traditions.