Educating a Toddler to Develop into an 'English Gentleman' – Does It Justify the Money?

Child education concept
The organization behind the advert claims that what seems like "extravagance or oddity" is truly "intentional investment in early-stage education".

"Parents based in north London seeks an exceptional and experienced educator to support their smallest child on his first steps to turning into an British gentleman."

Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally miss the phrase "initial stages" as simple a turn of phrase.

However, it could be the most significant element of this unique job advert, as it attempts to recruit a teacher for a 12-month-old.

Hundreds of applications have now been sent in since the unnamed family posted their request for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".

During the past few weeks, the post has attracted notice across the press, with numerous asking why?

Innovative Idea

A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that despite early doubt, he found the concept "visionary", and "advanced".

When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual character of their request, and how early in age their son is.

Nevertheless, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then taken hold".

What precisely does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?

It's "comprehensive", the expert responded. "How you eat, the way you speak".

He explained the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to Adam they did not want this pattern to happen again with their younger child.

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

Tutoring discussion
The tutoring agency say the advert has started a larger conversation about how parents view learning, privilege and the part of family background in education.

Subtle Influence

"A great deal of the learning at the start here is rather osmotic," explained the CEO.

It's via this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they wish to instil.

The consultant said the tutor needed to be somebody who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".

"The tutor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he said.

Cost Not Relevant

The family explained to him the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.

More than that though, he explained 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 tool by the time they are approximately three years old".

In the family's minds, guiding their son develop into a "British gentleman" will bring about success and provide access.

"For all the rights and wrongs of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.

Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child adopt so-called cultural bias from the multicultural family he is raised by anyway?

"Yes", said the CEO. "They understand this could fail, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the cost of it is irrelevant," he explained.

Overly Optimistic

Several in the tutoring industry who share similar concerns.

Another CEO, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not designed."

Peter explained that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the time of childhood, and had been brought up understanding and embodying both cultures. He progressed to learn at a prestigious UK institution.

Peter Cui portrait
The educator was the first individual originating from China to be elected to the position of Finance Head of the Cambridge Union Society.

"The notion that a single person can act as a embodiment of Britishness, an individual who can somehow transfer the qualities of a English gentleman upon a one-year-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he stated.

"In my experience, having a typically English tutor from early childhood will not automatically produce the outcome they desire.

"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to live many of the experiences they aspire for their son."

He continued: "The fact is, personal identity can not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."

Buying Britishness

Certainly, Britishness is something the CEO believes can be instructed – and marketed.

"I believe the fact that the global community views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating

John Reyes
John Reyes

A tech journalist with a passion for gaming innovation and digital culture, exploring how technology shapes modern entertainment.