The Perfect Polish: Why Finishing Schools Are Making A Comeback

Think finishing schools are a relic of the past? Think again. This age-old art of polish and poise is experiencing a modern-day revival – thriving like never before…

Think ‘finishing school’ and it’s likely to conjure up images of young ladies balancing books on their heads and learning the proper way to address a duchess. But many of these historic institutions are now evolving to better equip their students for the 21st century. “Clients are definitely looking for somewhere that helps students to broaden their horizons, understand other cultures and learn how to connect and network with others,” says Jemma Zoe Smith, founder of Top School and Uni.

While it goes without saying that this modern world is global, cross-cultural and business-focused, personal relationships remain at its heart and students who have undergone a modern ‘finishing’ that focusses on these soft skills often have the advantage here.  

Founded over 70 years ago, the prestigious Institut Villa Pierrefeu near Montreux in Switzerland is unwaveringly discreet about its famous alumni, but it’s thought Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark and Princess Elena of Romania all studied here, earning it the moniker ‘the School of Princesses’.

Adapting to the contemporary market, Institut Villa Pierrefeu now offers three- to six-week courses on international etiquette and protocol, providing students with the latest information on social and business etiquette, cross-cultural customs and diplomatic best practice, along with proper table service and manners. According to its website, students are taught “how to conduct successful business meetings and navigate small talk in a corporate setting,” along with “handling media interactions” and “the skills to confidently manage business meals and even organize large business events.” Prices start at Dhs41,000.

“Languages, politics, an understanding of world history and appreciation for the arts are something that clients want their young people to be able to gain knowledge in,” says Zoe Smith. “Many of my clients will be expected to represent their families at formal events and business events. Even if they don’t follow in the family business, they have their sights set on global careers.”

In a similar vein, The London Finishing Academy offers students lessons on Building a Brand and Social Media, Art Appreciation and Public Speaking with Confidence, along more ‘traditional’ subjects such as Afternoon Tea Etiquette and Personal Grooming, with fees determined by individual requirements. Other schools have courses focused on charitable endeavours, such as arts and patronage literacy, impact investing and structured giving, enabling their students to make the biggest possible positive impact when they go out into the world.

As well as different subject matter, this contemporary evolution of the traditional finishing school attracts a very diverse demographic. Where previously finishing schools were associated with young women from elite families, the programmes of today are designed to be gender-neutral and career-focussed, meaning they have more in common with professional academies.

“Entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and even diplomats are now attending courses in protocol, communication and cultural intelligence,” says Elaine Cunningham Walker, Education Strategist and founder of Everything’s Education. “In many ways finishing schools are becoming institutions that teach social intelligence for the global stage. And in a world where influence often depends on relationships and perception, those skills have never been more valuable.”

Previously, anyone attending finishing school would have done so for an entire year, but the courses of today pack more in and are shorter in length, ranging from one day to several weeks. And there is scope for them being remote, with teaching often done on Zoom and even WhatsApp, as well as via residential lessons. That said, physically attending lessons is still the most popular (and prestigious) option and, while the heyday of the great European finishing schools has long gone, the market continues to be dominated geographically by Switzerland and London.

It’s estimated that the Middle Eastern market accounts for 15 per cent of students in Swiss finishing schools but attempts to establish these institutions closer to home have largely been unsuccessful. This is down to a number of factors, including the prestige still attached to these historically renowned schools; how difficult it is to recreate the same cultural immersion, and the unique networking opportunity that studying overseas offers.

“Some programmes launched in places, such as Dubai, with the intention of offering etiquette and personal development training locally. However many of these did not scale in the way people expected,” says Elaine. “Switzerland in particular carries a certain mystique. Families are not simply buying a course, they are buying the experience, the heritage and the international peer group that comes with studying abroad.”

While international boarding schools can take care of the academic side of education, if finishing schools continue to adapt their curriculums to the modern world, their appeal to Middle Eastern families looking for those softer, intangible skills, is only likely to increase. This is the key to their success and their continued survival.

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