Raising a Baby English Gentleman: Luxury Tutor or Early Education Game-Changer?

In north London, a family has made headlines by searching for an extraordinary tutor for their youngest child, who is only one year old. Their goal is to help their son take his first steps toward becoming an 'English gentleman. ' The job advert, which offers a remarkable salary of £180,000 a year, has attracted hundreds of applicants. The family believes that investing in early education is important, especially after waiting until their older child was five before hiring a tutor. By that time, they felt their older child had already absorbed the family's cultural habits and ways of behaving.

Adam Caller, the CEO of Tutors International, is helping the family with their search. He describes the family's approach as progressive and thoughtful. The family wants the tutor to speak with a proper English accent and to have attended prestigious schools. They also hope the tutor has interests in horse-riding, skiing, music, and the arts, so the child can be exposed to a wide range of activities. The plan is for the child to start pony-riding and learning an instrument by the age of three. The family believes that these experiences will help their son develop the qualities of a 'British gentleman,' which they think will lead to success and open doors in life.

However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Peter Cui, the founder of Blue Education, argues that cultural identity cannot simply be taught by one person. He moved from China to the UK at age seven and learned both cultures by living them. Peter believes that having a British tutor from infancy will not automatically make a child a 'British gentleman. ' He says that cultural identity must be chosen and come from within, not just imposed from outside.

Businesses like Laura Windsor's Etiquette Academy have also emerged to teach people how to act like a British person. Laura teaches etiquette, such as how to have afternoon tea, dress properly, and hold polite conversations. She believes that being polite and making others feel comfortable can lead to great opportunities. Most of her students are older, but she thinks starting etiquette lessons at a young age can help children grow up with good manners.

Some parents, like Daniel, have different priorities. Daniel hires a private tutor for his three children, not to teach them British manners, but to help them develop emotional intelligence and prepare for a future shaped by artificial intelligence. He feels that the British school system is outdated and prefers the personalized attention that private tutors provide. Daniel says that the cost of hiring a tutor is similar to private school fees, but the quality of education is much higher.

Ultimately, families have different views on what is best for their children. Some believe in teaching British culture and manners from a young age, while others focus on preparing their children for a changing world. The decision depends on what parents value most for their children's future, whether it is tradition, success, or adaptability.