Meet the mannies! Men graduate for the first time from Norland College which has been supplying the rich and famous (and even the Royals) with childcare professionals for 126 years
- Liam Willett and Harry Pratt graduate from Norland College nanny course
- They become first ‘mannies’ in the Bath-based college’s 126-year history
- The college regularly supplies nannies to the Royal Family and celebrities
- Graduates learn skills from swing and cooking to counter-terrorism
They are famous for taking care of the children of the rich and famous while wearing their iconic brown hats and white gloves.
But two of the latest batch of ‘Norland nannies’ will buck that trend because they are the first men to come through the ranks in Norland College’s 126-year history.
Liam Willett and Harry Pratt, both 21, are now expert ‘mannies’ and capable of keeping toddlers in check while whipping up dinner and providing entertainment.
The college, based in Bath, frequently supplies nannies to the Royal Family, including Prince George’s minder Maria Borrallo, while Mick Jagger also employs a Norlander and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are likely to recruit one for their first child.
Two male nannies have graduated from Norland College for the first time in its 126-year history. Harry Pratt, 21, front row, and Liam Willett, back row, also 21, are both now starting one-year placements with families
Mr Willett, left with his girlfriend, second-year student Chantal White, and Mr Pratt, right, both said they want to inspire other men to join Norland
Mr Willett and Mr Pratt will now go on a one-year placement with families before receiving their full diploma from the college, where a three-year course costs around £45,000.
They will earn around £30,000 for the first year but salaries can go as high as £75,0000.
Speaking to The Times, Mr Willett, of Kent, said: ‘To know now this is a historically significant moment is quite surreal.’
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The graduate, who is dating second-year student Chantal White, added: ‘Before I went to Norland College I could make a mean bacon sandwich but apart from that I would not say I showed much prowess. But I’m now looking after a two-year-old who loves salmon fish fingers, potato wedges and peas.’
Their graduation was welcomed by the college principal Dr Janet Rose, who encouraged more men to follow in their footsteps over the coming years.
Skills taught on the course range from sewing and first aid to martial arts, cyber security and even counter-terrorism.
Mr Willett, pictured centre with female students outside the college, joked he could only make a good bacon sandwich before he started the course
The pair have previously appeared on televison to talk about their historic achievement
They are also taught how to drive away from sticky situations celebrities sometimes find themselves in.
Speaking to the Times, Mr Pratt, currently caring for a pair of twins, added: ‘I’m now excited to inspire other young men that share the same passion for early-years education to consider nannying.’
The college only accepted its first male student 12 years ago.
The newcomers have prompted several changes in Norland’s strict code of conduct, much of which has been in place since the school was founded in 1892.
In place of the girls’ brown boaters and beige A-line dresses, the boys have tweed jackets, beige chinos and brown ties emblazoned with ‘N’ insignia.
Girls must wear their hair in a neat bun, boys’ hair must be shorter than the top of their collar and they must be clean-shaven.
There’s a long list of rules while wearing the uniform, both on and off college property, in order to set a good example.
Students must not chew gum, buy alcohol, listen to music with headphones, eat fast food, cross the road unless at a crossing — or use mobile phones in the street.
Mr Pratt, pictured with family, is currently caring for a set of twins
Mr Willett, pictured with Miss White, right, said the situation felt ‘surreal’ to him
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