Norland College in Bath, Somerset, which has been training
professional nannies for the rich and famous since 1892, has added
martial arts classes and skid pan training to its curriculum to
meet the needs of modern wealthy parents.
Norland nannies are considered the most prestigious and are the
favourites of royals, celebrities and the super-rich. But their
Mary Poppins-style brown uniforms, felt hats and white gloves makes
them instantly recognisable and vulnerable to robbers and
kidnappers.
Parents worried about their children being held for ransom or being
chased by photographers are requiring their nannies to know how to
deal with potential attackers as well as master the traditional
skills of first aid, sewing and cooking.
The trainees - who pay £36,000 for the four-year BA Honours degree
course - are now being taken to Castle Combe Racing Circuit in
Wiltshire for lessons in how to drive at high speed in any weather
conditions.
The classes teach the nannies driving techniques, such as skid pan
control, that will help them safely get away from pursuing
photographers trying to take pictures of the children in their
care.
John Yeo, a driving instructor who normally trains bodyguards, said
the nannies’ course he sets was "tough and realistic".
"We put them under as much pressure as we can. If we're putting all
the pressure on them and they can still pull the car out of a
situation quickly and efficiently, it's been a good reward,” he
said.
"And we know when they go out there and that happens they've got
the best chance possible of keeping safe."
The would-be nannies also undergo Tae Kwon-Do self-defence training
where they learn to manoeuvre prams away from potential kidnappers
and give themselves the best chance at escaping or alerting
attention.
Norland College, which was the first in the country to offer
childcare courses, has trained more than 7,000 nannies since it was
founded by Emily Ward, a pioneer in childcare education.
Claire Burges, lecturer and former graduate of Norland College,
believes Mrs Ward would have appreciated the new additions to the
prospectus.
She said: "When Emily Ward set up Norland, it was forward thinking
it was always thinking about what was needed for the children in
the families that the nannies were going to be caring for.
"And I think she'd love the idea that we're now moving it even more
forward."
Lucy Draper, 24, a student at Norland College, said the new modules
are essential to her training as future clients are likely to be
targeted by paparazzi and kidnappers:
"It teaches you how to look after your charges so if you have them
in the back in dangerous situation you know how to cope. I
definitely feel a lot better and more prepared now."
