"A family residing in North London seeks an remarkable and qualified tutor to assist their most junior child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might easily miss the phrase "initial stages" as mere a turn of phrase.
Yet, it could be the most significant part of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to find a mentor for a 12-month-old.
Many of responses have now been received since the unnamed family published their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained notice across the media, with numerous asking why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their search, said that in spite of initial doubt, he considered the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he noted they understood the unconventional aspect of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already taken hold".
But what did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family explained to him they wished to avoid the same situation to repeat itself with their infant.
The plan: To bring in a British tutor, who must speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the learning at the beginning here is kind of acquired indirectly," explained the CEO.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will pick up the UK customs they aim to instil.
He noted the tutor must be someone who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have familiarity of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, the arts and music so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son become a "UK sophisticate" will result in success and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
However, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", would the child absorb what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he is raised by anyway?
"Absolutely", answered Adam. "They know this could fail, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is irrelevant," he said.
Impractical
There are some in the tutoring industry who have similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who supplies private tutors, wrote that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
He wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated understanding and embodying dual heritages. He went on to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that a single person can function as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can in some way transfer the qualities of a UK sophisticate onto a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and impractical," he commented.
"From my perspective, having a quintessentially UK tutor from babyhood will not instantly achieve the outcome they hope for.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to live many of the experiences they desire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and marketed.
"In my view the situation that the world holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
