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IN the echoing footsteps of Chelsea Clinton in braces and Amy Carter in her bunches, comes the next generation of presidential offspring to spend their childhood in the White House - the Obamakidz, Malia, 10, and seven-year-old Sasha.
The Obamas have taken advice from the Clintons on how to gain a normal(ish) education for their children in the least normal situation in the world, and the girls have started at Chelsea's former school Sidwell Friends.
Sidwell combines a strong Quaker ethos with academic excellence, which means all are treated the same - although many of its pupils are privileged and tied to the "company town" of political Washington.
At a basic $30,000 a year, fees are hefty by US standards, and pupils pay for their own books, which funds scholarships for less well-off families. Sidwell's religious, un-WASPy reputation also protects the family from the accusation of snobbery.
Old Sidwellians praise its egalitarian nature. One said: "Bill and Hillary had to wear those 'Hello, my name is...' stickers too, like all the others."
One of Chelsea's former schoolmates added: "The Secret Service presence was pretty low-key, but the Obamas are classed as under more threat. The school will keep it as discreet as it can: discretion is what it does best."
