doing a talk on adoption to school

Dele Alli springs to mind - not a traditional 'legal' adoption but an interesting story. 

Can't remember which club he plays for but is in the England team

Obviously you wont be getting too personal about Peewits story or frighten them too much, could you maybe start with a version of the Todd Parr book about different types of families? 

if you google Adoption UK ambassadors there is a West end actor, BMX rider and an Olympic athlete which might be useful

Steve Jobs might connect 

in the event that any of them are interested in politics there is of course Michael Gove

How about the Timpson family - most of them should at least have seen a Timpsons shop 

I think your starting point is finding out what they are asking Peewit and what they are doing that makes him feel different. (And maybe why school are so ineffective at dealing with it!)

From my years working in schools, I would say it is unusual in a primary school for children to continue asking questions for such a long time (assuming he has been at the same school all through). In my experience, children ask questions early on, then either lose interest or simply accept whatever it is.

What is happening/being said that in some way is perpetuating the feeling of difference and the need to ask questions?

If you can identify that, maybe it will give you a focus for the talk?

I would also just be cautious over talking about 'good parents' and what children need to thrive. You won't know which of those children may currently be living with domestic violence or which ones have social services involved in their lives.

It's lovely that he wants you to go in and talk to them, that he has such trust and confidence in you. He has come a long way; well done.

I am not sure why there is this persistent curiosity Serrakunda, some of the parents are very closed minded and it might be coming from them passing on their own lack of knowledge about adoption to their children. 


Peewit is very sensitive and feels things very deeply so their comments are given additional power through his own insecurities and anxiety.


I have thought about the impact it might have on other children Leo, and I will be careful not to make emotive  value judgments but it is hard not to make some kind of judgment as there were reasons why Peewit was adopted.

I am now thinking of reading them 'Nutmeg gets adopted' a very good book which goes into the subject at about the right level and see what questions this might provoke. It might be easier to use the transitional story of Nutmeg rather than directly talk about Peewit.

The school have previosuly spoken to the children who have said the hurtful comments to Peewit, but I think Peewit himself needs/wants his friends to hear me say that I love him. This is my gut instinct and thinking about it I wonder whether some of  this is  about Peewit wanting to know I do love him, that I am prepared to say it in public. 

Lapwing would die of embarrassment if I went into her class and did this, and would have done even at her brothers age, they are so different!

Sorry Mudlark, I didn't mean to imply you'd be insensitive; you always come across as very calm and thoughtful.

I think using a book and staying away from his personal story is a very good idea.

I'm sure when the other chikdren hear you talk about how much you love Peewit they will see the heartfelt truth of that shining in your eyes and I hope it will help them be more accepting of his differences.

Leo, no need to apologise, it was a good point. One I had only  thought about it at the same time you posted!


Moo, I thought I had read all the relevant books but have not come across that one, will look it up, although as I am definitely a crier at sad stories....might be one to read at home?!

I did the talk in front of his class today, it went well, but I am so glad I had prepared and thought through my responses to difficult questions, as of course all the questions you wouldn't want them to ask they did!


Peewit was hyper throughout, but we shall see if it had had the desired effect, which was really for his friends and peers to see me as 'real' and to respect the fact that peewit had shared with them some personal and difficult stuff. I am glad it's over!

Well done.

I hope Peewit is proud of his Mum and that the nosy children have heard enough to make them change their ways.

I was wondering how it went... so glad you felt it went well. How’s peewit now the dust has settled a bit on it

Xx