RISE TO LEAD
Public Speaking · Leadership · Confidence
For the child who has something to say and needs to learn how to say it.
Book your placeWhat happens inside Rise to Lead.
See the term dates for when the club runs
SPEAK
Children learn to stand up, speak clearly and hold a room, through weekly missions.
LEAD
Every session brings a new leadership challenge. Children learn to guide a team.
PERFORM
The term ends with a showcase where every child presents in front of parents and friends.
This is where your child finds their voice.
THE MYSTERY BOX
Every session starts with a riddle. Solve it, and the box opens. Inside is the week's challenge, a debate, a speech, a leadership task. Nobody knows what's coming until it's time.
THREE ROLES, ONE TEAM
Each week the children pick a role: Speaker, Time Boss or Gold Finder. By the end of term every child has done all 3.
BRAVE SPEAKING
Plenty of children arrive nervous, and that is fine. Each week they practise standing up and speaking anyway, and it gets a little easier every time.
THE DEBATE
Children argue a point, defend an idea and listen properly to the other side. Sometimes they have to argue for a side they don't even agree with.
THE SHOWCASE
At the end of every term, parents are invited in and every child stands up to give a talk or speech they have prepared themselves. Nobody sits it out.
The term builds towards a stage.
Rise to Lead Young Speakers is our public speaking final, open to all children aged 8 to 12.
Reviews
What parents say
We loved seeing how happy all the children were in your class and how confidently they spoke, laughed, and interacted together. It was such a wonderful experience for my daughter and for us as parents.
I highly recommend Young Founders Club. It's a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about business, develop creative ideas and gain practical skills! The program helps build confidence and turn ideas into reality.
My child has absolutely loved both Rise to Lead and Young Founders House. The sessions are engaging, well organised, and teach skills that aren't usually covered in school, like confidence, communication, problem-solving and entrepreneurship. You can really see the passion and care that goes into every session, and it's been wonderful watching my child's confidence grow. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Configur Academy to other parents.
Rise to Lead is by far the best club my daughter attends. Orgesa does such a brilliant job of getting the kids excited about public speaking and debate. It's the kind of stuff they don't learn at school but is essential for real life. Orgesa's passion for this really comes through and she goes above and beyond to deliver something truly exceptional for the kids.
We were looking for a class that could deliver real results: where, after a term, we could actually see that our daughter had gained new skills. At the end of the term, she presented her research. I've made tonnes of presentations myself over the years, seen a lot of them delivered, and rehearsed presentations with my older child. I have to say, I was really impressed to see how much my daughter had learnt and how well she applied the techniques needed for a successful presentation. My husband and I have been overwhelmingly happy with the results. We are signing her up for another class, 'The Detective Club', in the autumn.
My daughter was very nervous about speaking in front of others, even in a small group. Since joining the club, I've noticed such a lovely change in her. She is speaking more clearly, joining in more, and she seems much more comfortable sharing her ideas. It has been really nice to see her confidence grow in a gentle, natural way.
We have been absolutely delighted with Rise to Lead and the positive impact it has had on our daughter. It has been amazing to see her confidence, communication and leadership skills grow. The sessions are engaging, fun and thoughtfully designed, and she genuinely looks forward to each one. Orgesa is a wonderful teacher who creates such a positive and encouraging environment.
We've loved watching our child grow through Configur Academy - learning to speak up with confidence and picking up financial know-how so early is such an unique experience! Thank you for giving them skills that will help shape their future!
A really lovely club that helps children build confidence, speak more clearly and believe in themselves a bit more each week.
My daughter absolutely loves the 'Rise to Lead' after-school club, and it has helped her so much with her confidence in speaking. I highly recommend it!
I love how practical the Young Founders House club is. The children were not just sitting and being told about money or business. They were thinking, planning, making decisions and learning by doing. My child really enjoyed it, and I could see how proud she was of what she had created.
My kids have really enjoyed Orgesa's classes! They learned so much. Highly recommend!
The children's market was brilliant. It gave the children a real chance to sell, speak to people, manage money and feel proud of themselves.
Our kids look forward to these sessions every week. The location is ideal, and the teacher's passion and energy really make the class
Young Founders House has been a great experience for Georgie. It introduced her to completely new concepts, and she loved learning how money works and how to turn investments into profits. A wonderful, unexpected bonus was seeing her teamwork and friendships grow. Georgie took part in two markets this term and made over £100 after costs, she was thrilled to see her hard work pay off.
Questions parents ask
What happens in a session?
Games, team challenges and short talks built around 1 skill a week, how to open, how to structure, how to land. Every child speaks in ways that feel like play, and the term ends with a showcase for parents.
My child is shy. Is this right for them?
Especially for them. Speaking is always invited, never forced, and pass is always allowed. Children build up from speaking in pairs to speaking to the room at their own pace, and the quiet ones often surprise everyone by week 6.
When and where does it run?
Mondays, 4 to 5pm, and Saturdays, 2 to 3pm, in term time at Patch, 42 York Street, Twickenham. Children can arrive 15 minutes early for a snack. Every date for the year is on the club dates page.
What does it cost?
Membership is £65 a month for 1 club, with reduced rates across 2, 3 or all 4 clubs. Everything is included, sessions, materials and the showcase.
Do parents come in?
Once a term, for the showcase, where every child performs and every child wins an award they have earned. It is the best hour of the term.
What if my child misses a week?
Each session stands on its own, so they simply pick up the following week. Nothing is lost.
What ages is it for?
Rise to Lead is for children aged 8 to 12. Groups are kept small so every child gets time to speak.
How do I sign up?
Pick the clubs your child wants, choose the day for each one, and set up the monthly membership from the join page. That part takes about 2 minutes. You are then taken to a short consent form, and your child's place is confirmed once you have completed it. If a day is full, the page will say so, and you can register your interest for that day instead.
Join Rise to Lead
Choose your child's clubs and set up your monthly membership. You pay one simple amount each month, the same every month across the year.
Mondays 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Patch (co-working space) 1 place left
Saturdays 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Patch (co-working space)
Membership can be cancelled at any time with 30 days' notice.
Membership is paid monthly, the same amount every month, spread evenly across the year.
Small, safe and personal. Places are limited to keep it that way.
Doing more than one club? See all membership options.
Try any of the new classes free before you join.