It is not so much a school for scoundrels as an academy to turn hooray Henrys into smart Alecs. A new “university of life” will teach its students how to talk at the dinner table, what books to read and how to sneer at British holidaymakers.

A group of philosophers, actors, wits and businessmen has been assembled to offer courses on everything from sparkling table talk to French philosophy.

The School of Life, whose faculty includes Alain de Botton, the philosopher and author, and Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, may appear to critics to be an attempt to bolt intellectual pretentiousness onto old-fashioned snobbery.

Its backers, however, insist it will help clients who have been too busy in the pursuit of money to develop their social skills and intellectual depth.

De Botton, author of How Proust Can Change Your Life, will offer students an insight into ways to revive a relationship, choose a good doctor, enjoy a holiday, make friends and respond to an insult.

Those who would be welcome to attend evening and weekend classes include Katie Price, the model and bestselling author also known as Jordan. Price said she was barred from part of the Cartier polo tournament at Windsor last weekend out of “pure snobbery”.

The school, which opens in Bloomsbury in central London next month, was founded by Sophie Howarth, 33, a former curator at Tate Modern.

“It is not a finishing school. Nor is it conventional evening classes,” Howarth said. “We are going to be teaching essential stuff to bright people and acting as a travel agent for the mind. We are pitching at bright, busy people who want to make the most of their careers and lifestyles and limited time off. The etiquette lessons will not be about which spoon to use or how to fold a napkin but more a menu to good conversation.”

Lessons in politics will examine the theories of philosophers from Plato to Karl Marx but will also look into whether it would be more politically effective to become a billionaire than prime minister.

Learning courses – which include lessons in love, work, family and play – will cost £195 a term, starting in September. Meals will cost £45 for three courses. There is also the opportunity for a “one-to-one” with an expert for £50 an hour and a chance to listen to a “sermon” from a guest speaker or go on specialised holidays with a guest lecturer. The “sermons” are not religious but will discuss modern ethics.

Experts such as Susan Elderkin, author of Sunset Over Chocolate Mountains, will give students a spot of “biblio-therapy” with tailored reading lists. Students will also be invited on field trips. De Botton will teach them the meaning of travel at Heathrow airport for two days for £295 a head; and Martin Parr, a photographer, will lead an expedition to the Isle of Wight to observe “the vulgarity, nostalgia and brashness of British holidaymaking in its full glory”.

BRIGHT TALK

The do’s and don’ts of dinner party conversation, according to the School of Life

— Avoid boring other guests by discussing house prices
— Talk about Freddie Flintoff’s battle cry for England cricket
— Do not mention “buy one, get one free” offers at your local supermarket

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