RISE TO LEAD
Public Speaking · Leadership · Confidence
For the child who has something to say and needs to learn how to say it.
Join the waitlistWhat 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
A really lovely club that helps children build confidence, speak more clearly and believe in themselves a bit more each week.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 in term time at Patch, 42 York Street, Twickenham. Children can arrive from 3:45 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 Monday. 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.
Who runs it, and are they DBS checked?
Yes. Orgesa Meli, who founded and leads Configur Academy, is the designated safeguarding lead and holds an enhanced DBS check. Our practice follows the Department for Education's guidance for out-of-school settings, and the full safeguarding statement is on this site.
How do I sign up?
Through this website. Choose your child's clubs and follow the steps on the join page. If the club is currently full, join the waitlist and we will be in touch as soon as a place opens.
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.
This club is currently full.
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.