FAQ

• About Muir Academy Maids.
• About The Academy Club.
• Joining the Academy Club.
• Your interview with Miss Prim.
• Final Questions.
• Back to Index of Muir Academy Maids

What is unique about Muir Academy For Maids? MAM stands alone in offering a formal and structured training and accreditation system for those who wish to learn how to become uniformed housemaids. They learn together in a group and work together in a household. What does it teach? Initially the vocational skills will be those of the parlourmaid; preparing and presenting light meals and refreshments; laying and serving at table and clearing away; serving a buffet at parties; how to dust, tidy, vacuum, clean, and iron; answering the door and telephone; simple cookery such as baking scones for afternoon tea; and flower arranging. What about other maid roles? Miss Prim evaluates each maid to assess which role suits them best. Once basic skills are learned, or if a maid is unsuited to other duties, then the skills of a chambermaid are taught; how to make a bed, clean bedrooms and bathrooms. Also those of a kitchenmaid, such as preparing vegetables, washing up, etc. For any maid who aspires to be a ladies' maid then sewing, mending, assisting with dressing, hair brushing and other such duties can be taught. How much does a day's training cost? A full day's course, which may run from 9.30 until past midnight, costs just £125 -- less than an hour's maid training elsewhere. A weekend costs only £195. Does MAM offer a qualification? You will receive a diploma see Diplomas which records your attendance and the level of proficiency attained. Since we are well-established and have a very good reputation, this diploma is a solid guarantee of your worth. Miss Prim can also give a personal reference for any maid she has trained. How many others maids will there be on a training course? Numbers vary from three to six. What else do you offer to someone interested in being a maid? Miss Prim offers help on an individual basis: detailed instruction, sympathetic advice and formal training on both the personal aspects such as make­up, deportment, dress, etc. Also on all the vocational skills of maid craft such as laying a table, preparation and serving refreshments, ironing, cleaning, etc. Will I have to wear a maid's uniform for the course? Yes, see the recommended style, right Miss Prim insists on this, or something very similar, for all trainee maids. I already have a maid 's outfit, why can't I wear that? It may be permitted if Miss Prim deems it acceptable. However Miss Prim will not accept impractical, or overelaborate outfits. See Our Gallery for examples of what is, or is not, acceptable. Will I need a wig? Hair must be worn in a demure feminine style. If your natural hair is not long enough, then you must wear a wig and Miss Prim may be able to advise on an appropriate style You will be expected to have your own wig for courses, but one may be provided for the interview. Will I have to shave? You must be facially cleanshaven. Ideally, MAM maids should also be free of all body hair, but Miss Prim does understand that this is not always possible because of a maid's personal circumstances. Will I have to wear make-up? You must wear make-up if your complexion requires make-up to look credibly feminine. Miss Prim may advise on what to use and how it should be applied. Back to the top of this page

About MAM maids ...

1. How can a maid use her training? Capable maids serve at the Muir Academy, Muir College or The Other Pony Club events, and can be given assistance to find further experience as a maid. MAM maids are in service in private homes and are widely used as waitresses at scene parties and special events. Many of our maids have gone on to serve at events organised by The Firm. Their summer boat party on the River Thames had three Muir maids working together.
2. When does the Academy employ maids? Maid service is needed to help at the Muir Academy's monthly Saturday classes, in Hereford from 10 am to 5 pm and at the mixed boarding three-day courses, usually held in mid Wales, from Tuesday to Friday. The all­girl Muir College is run over a weekend and, like the Academy, is staffed by a cook assisted by a maid..
3. Your maids sound good, how can I hire one? Miss Prim likes to know enough about potential employers to gauge which maid would be most suitable for them. So we invite them, whether couples or single ladies or gentlemen, to a dinner party served by the maids. They may then discuss their requirements with Miss Prim and assess the maids present.
4. Then how do I choose a maid? If a maid catches the eye of a potential employer then direct contact may be made if the maid agrees.
5. If I'm a maid how do I choose a household or employer? In a similar way, any maid may request contact details of any guest. We also hope to create a register of potential employers that will be available online, but only to those trained and authorised by Miss Prim.

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About The Academy Club ...

1. You seem too good to be true, do you really do all this? Unlike many web sites with superficially similar content the The Tawsingham Society site reflects reality precisely. We have been running successfully since 1987. We really do everything described on our web site and much more besides..
2. How many are involved already? The Academy Club (TAC) and The Other Pony Club have, together, over one thousand Members, with many times as many on their mailing lists. We're in touch with a few hundred would-be maids. Of these a dozen regularly come to events in a support role, several times as many have attended maid training events.
3. What experience do you have? The Academy has run a hundred or more residential events and even more day schools over thirteen years. We've helped in many more events. Miss Prim is professionally qualified in catering and hotel management with wide experience of organising and running major functions from conferences to wedding receptions.

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About joining The Academy Club ...

1. What do I have to do to join? To become a MAM maid you must first join The Academy Club. Fill in the form on the back of the introductory leaflet, or an Academy Times, and enclose a cheque, postal order or cash. Applications may also be made by email, fax or phone, if you can give your credit card details.
2. What do I get as a member? When you join The Academy Club you'll get a letter from Miss Prim, a chance to phone her for interview, a paper copy of this guide, the Muir Academy Prospectus, a recent Muir Journal, Interview Guide, a Members' Briefing, then three more Muir Journals over the next year or three. Many more mailings in between, much of which only goes to members! I you specifically express an interest in being a maid you will get that guide too.
3. What are these publications? The Muir Academy Prospectus is 36 pages long with necessary background information, while the Muir Journal is 80 pages long with more topical news of Muir events, plus features, photos and artwork of interest to our members. The Members' Briefing has dozens of adverts from other members, of every gender and orientation, seeking to meet other members. These are much better than a contact magazine; they are all 100% genuine!

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About the interview with Miss Prim ...

1. How do I arrange an interview? Once you join the Academy you should arrange your interview with Miss Prim by phone ­ the number will be in your Members' Brief. Interviews are held on a week day between 10 am and 3.30 pm, unless in very special circumstances. Miss Prim will not accept a booking by letter or e­mail alone. The cost of the interview is £100 and you should send half as a deposit with your completed Interview Form.
2. Should I confirm my interview date? Telephone Miss Prim a day or two beforehand to confirm your arrangements, and bring the second half of the fee (£50) when you come. She will meet you at the bus or train station, if necessary.
3. How long will the interview take? The interview lasts between two and four hours, during which time you will be in uniform and treated as a maid throughout.
4. What should I wear for the interview? You must arrive in normal male clothing (or everyday clothing if female) and bring your uniform with you.
5. What if I can't make it? Deposits cannot be returned. However if you cannot keep the appointment Miss Prim may hold your deposit over for a later interview.
6. What happens at the interview? You first meet Miss Prim at an arranged rendezvous and will have a chance to chat in a relaxed atmosphere before being taken to the Academy. There you will change into your uniform for the interview.
7. What is the required uniform for the interview? The uniform chosen by Miss Prim for MAM maids is shown at the top right of this page, and is available from the Academy for £80. This regulation dress, apron and cap is worn with black stockings or tights, plain underwear and sensible shoes.
8. I already have a similar, but not identical, uniform. May I wear that? Uniform styles other than the regulation Muir design may be acceptable with Miss Prim's permission. There is an illustration on here of the kind of uniform that would still be permitted. Corsets may only be permitted if they do not impede a maid in her duties.
9. Can I borrow a uniform for the interview? Miss Prim can usually provide a suitable dress, apron and cap and possibly footwear and a wig. Maids must bring their own underclothes, or buy them through Miss Prim, to ensure hygiene. Maids are expected to have their own uniform for training or service. There is a much more extensive uniform list later in this publication.
10. What happens during the interview? The exact nature of each interview is tailored to bring out the best in each maid and will vary accordingly. It will include some tests to judge the maid's level of proficiency. Miss Prim will discuss with you how you could fit into our events and which that you would be best advised to attend to derive the maximum benefit. That may be a further 1:1 session, a training course or even straight into service.
11. Will I be subject to corporal punishment? Miss Prim's personal maids were successfully trained with corporal punishment and it is a method that she herself highly recommends for instilling discipline. However, this form of punishment is not compulsory for maids and they can excused it by prior agreement at the interview. Strict discipline is maintained at The Academy and maids must expect to learn their lesson in other non-physical ways.
12. How do I get to Hereford? It is just the English side of the Welsh border, about a 3 ½ hour drive or train ride from London, the same from Manchester and Liverpool by car. Newport is an hour away, Bristol 1 ¼ hours and Birmingham 1 ½ hours. There are many possible routes to Hereford by road so it is best you choose your own using a good road map. The same can be said of the trains these days, check central train reservations.
13. Can you supply accommodation? Bed and breakfast is available locally. It may be possible to stay here before or after a period of service. Miss Prim can only decide this after she has interviewed you.
14. What if I fail the interview? The interview is mostly about establishing a sufficient base of knowledge and trust between Miss Prim and yourself. From experience she will not introduce anybody into a group scene without first putting them through their paces on a 1:1 basis. She tells a few that they're unsuitable, or are not yet ready. If so she can usually direct them to somewhere that would suit them better, or assist them to gain acceptance

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And finally.....

1. Why do I have to do all this, why can't I just phone Miss Prim and get on with it? Miss Prim, with help from Sir Guy, originally created the The Tawsingham Society world. Every person who's attended since has had an influence, however slight, on its development. We don't promise to create any fantasy you may have; we offer that you may come and take a place of your choosing in one of several fantasy worlds that have been made real. So you must have an understanding of it first, and be sure you're happy with it, before you join in.
2. How do I book a course? Look for dates of events that appeal to you, or ring and see if a course can be arranged to suit you. Then ring Miss Prim to see if there are any places left and make your booking. Popular courses can fill very quickly, so book as early as you can. It is sometimes possible to get a late booking, so do try. Send a completed application form and the deposit to confirm your booking. Unconfirmed bookings will go to the next applicant if no deposit is received.
3. How do I find out more? If you want an even better idea of what happens at an interview, school or in service you should read any of Ishmael Skyes' books, which are all loosely based on the real Muir Academy, and accurately reflect the spirit and ethos of the Academy. To hear what actually goes on listen to our audio tapes, or phone line's, which are often from real interviews and classes. The best source to know what really happens at the Muir Academy is to read the back issues of the Muir Journal.

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