The Russian Embassy School in Notting Hill educates the children of diplomats and spies, as well as a small number of children whose parents are not Russian officials, including those who hold British citizenship.

Other classes taught last term included one on fortifications engineering; two on first aid on the battlefield; and another on how to protect oneself against radiological, biological and chemical weapons.

It also stipulates that children at the school be given instruction in how to fire a weapon accurately, how to build trenches and how to march in formation, as well as provided with practical information as to the differences between conscripted and contracted military service.

I would be a little grouchy about my benefits package if I were a Russian spy and one of my state-provided perks was an education for my kids and it wound up being aimed at peacetime instruction in general infantry skills.