UK public school introduces etiquette classes

London: Pupils may leave school well-versed in the three ‘Rs' but knowing how to mind their ‘Ps' and ‘Qs' is another matter.

One public school, however, is attempting to reverse a decline in good manners by introducing an etiquette week for pupils, including those as young as three. Special classes will cover subjects ranging from how to hold doors open to deportment.

The youngest pupils at Llandovery College, in Carmarthenshire, will be taught how to write thank you letters and practise saying ‘please' and ‘thank you'. Older pupils will learn how to present themselves to future employers and use ‘net-iquette' when sending e-mails.

Ian Hunt, headteacher at the school which charges £12,800 (Dh70,000) a year for senior day pupils, said: "We want to drive home the message that ‘manners maketh man or woman'. We hope our programme puts old-fashioned manners into a modern context."

As part of a ‘finishing school' for sixth-formers, they will be set a light-hearted exercise involving walking with books balanced on their heads. General rules on manners also include how to circulate at social events, keeping hands out of pockets when talking to someone and writing thank you notes.

While using mobiles, pupils will be encouraged to speak quietly, to ignore calls in cinemas and restaurants and to excuse themselves if they have to take a call in front of someone. There are also many social rules for e-mailing, such as not using the web to pass on bad news or negative comments.