Mon, 10 Nov 2025

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 Tutoring a baby to make them an 'English gentleman' - Is it worth the money?

The advert seeks "an extraordinary tutor" required "to support child on his first steps to becoming an English gentleman."
The family wants the tutor to be well-educated, with knowledge of Received Pronunciation, horse riding, skiing, the arts, and music. They aim for the child to pick up these skills through osmosis, starting from a young age. This approach has sparked debate in the tutoring industry, with some experts questioning its effectiveness and whether it's possible to instil cultural bias in a one-year-old child. The family's motivation is to give their son every advantage, including access to top schools and social circles. They believe that teaching him "Britishness" from an early age will lead to success and open doors for him in the future. However, critics argue that cultural identity cannot be taught or imposed on a young child, and that this approach may actually do more harm than good by creating a sense of artificiality or pretence. Some experts, such as etiquette expert Laura Windsor, believe that teaching children good manners and etiquette from an early age can have benefits. She runs her own Etiquette Academy, which offers courses in areas such as afternoon tea etiquette, dressing, and conversation skills. In contrast, some parents are taking a more unconventional approach to education. Daniel, who works abroad with his family, employs a high-end tutor to work with their children around school hours and accompany them on trips abroad. He believes that the British school system is not "fit for purpose" and that hiring an external tutor provides better results. Ultimately, this story highlights the complexities of parenting and education in today's society, where parents are increasingly seeking creative solutions to give their children every advantage.
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