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"A household based in North London is looking for an remarkable and skilled instructor to support their smallest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."

Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally miss the phrase "initial stages" as mere figurative language.

But, it may be the crucial part of this distinctive employment listing, as it seeks to find a tutor for a infant.

Hundreds of applications have already been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their request for the highly paid tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".

Over the last few weeks, the advert has gained attention across the press, with several asking why?

Forward-Thinking Method

Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that notwithstanding initial doubt, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".

When he spoke with the family, he said they recognized the unusual character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.

Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that age "cultural bias had already become established".

But what does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?

It's "everything", he replied. "How you eat, how you speak".

He stated the firstborn had absorbed "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent the same situation to repeat itself with their infant.

The intention: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.

Subtle Influence

"Much of the learning at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," stated Adam.

It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to instil.

He noted the tutor needed to be someone who attended "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".

"The educator simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he said.

Money No Object

The family told Adam the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or passion in horse riding, winter sports, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of interests.

Furthermore though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and learning an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".

In the family's view, helping their son develop into a "English gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.

"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.

Yet, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", might the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?

"Yes", said the CEO. "The family realize this could fail, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he explained.

Impractical

There are some in the private teaching field who express similar concerns.

Peter Cui, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides individual instructors, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."

The expert explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up knowing and living two backgrounds. He progressed to be educated at Cambridge University.

"The concept that a single person can act as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can somehow impart the qualities of a English gentleman onto a one-year-old child, strikes me as naive and unfeasible," he commented.

"In my experience, engaging a quintessentially UK tutor from early childhood will not automatically achieve the result they desire.

"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they desire for their son."

He added: "The truth is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."

Buying Britishness

Of course, UK identity is something the expert thinks can be taught – and sold.

"In my view the fact that the global community regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating