Santy School: What it takes to become a professional Santa Claus

‘Tis the season when professional Santas go to school. Suzanne Harrington joined them to see what it takes to represent the man in red

Suzanne Harrington investigates the Santa School, Ministry of fun. School for training Santas for their Work in December as they prepare the final presents and talk to their customers, sorry . . . .young little ones who are hopefully going to receive their wanted Christmas present. SPECIAL FOR THE IRISH EXAMINER

Ever wondered where Santa’s representatives on earth learn their trade? Wonder no more. Instead, follow me through the mean streets of London’s Elephant & Castle, into an industrial unit, where through a series of doors, I step into a classroom decorated with ivy, an old leather armchair, wrapped presents under a tree, a lifesize wooden toy soldier, and rows of desks.

Behind these desks sit half a dozen Santas, with copy books open in front of them. An elf with a clipboard – stripy tights, pointy elf hat, bright green elf suit, baubles in his beard – ushers me in. The Santas – all red velvet, luxuriant white beards, big bellies, twinkly eyes and gold glasses half way down their noses – greet me noisily. These are actors in full character, plummy and theatrical, who remain so throughout.