"A family based in North London wants to find an extraordinary and qualified educator to support their youngest child on his initial journey to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might easily skip the wording "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.
Yet, it could be the most important element of this unique position posting, as it seeks to hire a teacher for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been sent in since the unidentified family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained attention across the press, with numerous wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their search, said that in spite of early skepticism, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he said they appreciated the atypical aspect of their request, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already become established".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", the expert responded. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He stated the firstborn had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family told Adam they did not want history to happen again with their infant.
The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the learning at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," said the CEO.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the UK customs they aim to cultivate.
The consultant said the tutor needed to be an individual who attended "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed him the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, winter sports, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
More than that though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will result in success and create opportunities.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he comments.
However, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by regardless?
"Certainly", said the CEO. "The parents realize this may not work, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the tutoring industry who express those doubts.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who provides personal educators, stated that "the development of becoming bicultural, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter noted that he had relocated from China to the Britain at the time of childhood, and had been brought up experiencing and living two backgrounds. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can act as a living vessel of UK identity, a person who can possibly impart the attributes of a British gentleman to a one-year-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"In my experience, employing a quintessentially English tutor from babyhood will does not necessarily produce the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to live several of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be educated – and sold.
"I think the reality that the world views us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating