Children taking part in a Rise to Lead session at Patch in Twickenham

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 place

What happens inside Rise to Lead.

For ages 8 to 12. Every Monday, 4:00 to 5:00 pm, and every Saturday, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, at Patch, 42 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3LJ.

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.

A mystery box being opened at a Rise to Lead session

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.

Children working together in a team at Rise to Lead

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.

A child speaking to the group at Rise to Lead

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.

Children taking part in a debate at Rise to Lead

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.

A child presenting to parents at the Rise to Lead showcase

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.

Rise to Lead Young Speakers is our public speaking final, open to all children aged 8 to 12.

See Rise to Lead Young Speakers

Reviews

What parents say

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.

Holiday clubs

Holiday clubs, and a promise to my families

Book your child's place by Sunday, 30 August 2026 and every benefit below comes with it.

We are building holiday clubs. Full days that bring together everything the children learn with us, speaking and leading, money and business, thinking and problem solving, all turned into the sort of day they will absolutely love and come home from full of stories.

The promise below stands for the families already with us, and for anyone who joins by Sunday, 30 August 2026.

Clubs your child attends Free holiday club days To use at any holiday club of your choice during the year To be used on any day, any week, during summer holiday clubs 2027
1 club2 full days11
2 clubs4 full days22
3 clubs6 full days33
4 clubs8 full days35, a full free week of holiday club, with first choice of summer dates before anyone else

Your child keeps the free days for as long as they are with us, and needs to be enrolled on the day each one is used.

Children celebrating together with a trophy at Configur Academy

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 Fully booked

Saturdays 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Book your place

£65 a monthLocked in, even when prices rise.

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.

How membership works

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.

Book a free Saturday trial

Where. For ages 8 to 12. Every Monday, 4:00 to 5:00 pm, and every Saturday, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, at Patch, 42 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3LJ.
Questions? Email configuracademy@gmail.com, WhatsApp 07414 962803

Not quite found what you are looking for?

Tell me what would suit your child, and you will be the first to hear when new clubs, days and holiday sessions open.

Register your interest

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