"A family residing in north London seeks an remarkable and experienced instructor to support their smallest child on his early path to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might easily overlook the wording "initial stages" as simple an expression.
But, it might be the most significant aspect of this unique position posting, as it seeks to recruit a tutor for a one-year-old.
Numerous of applications have since been sent in since the anonymous family posted their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the post has gained notice in the media, with many asking why?
Progressive Approach
The CEO, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their search, said that notwithstanding early scepticism, he considered the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unusual aspect of their demand, and how immature their son is.
But, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What precisely did the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "all-encompassing", the expert responded. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family explained to Adam they did not want this pattern to happen again with their infant.
The intention: To hire a UK tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the education at the beginning here is rather acquired indirectly," said Adam.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will acquire the UK customs they aim to cultivate.
He noted the tutor must be someone who went to "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to him the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or passion in equestrian activities, winter sports, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son develop into a "English gentleman" will lead to achievement and open doors.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child pick up so-called cultural influence from the globally influenced family he resides with anyway?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "The family understand this may not work, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as quickly as we can', because the price of it is not a concern," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the tutoring industry who share these doubts.
An education leader, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter noted that he had moved from the Far East to the UK at the period of childhood, and had been educated understanding and living both cultures. He progressed to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The concept that one individual can function as a living vessel of UK identity, an individual who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a one-year-old child, strikes me as idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"From my perspective, employing a distinctly UK tutor from early childhood will does not automatically produce the outcome they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the situations they hope for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, personal identity can not be imposed from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something Adam hopes can be taught – and sold.
"In my view the reality that the international society holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating