Junior
Communicators
Accreditation
Shaping the future with confident and clear communicators.
Junior Communicators Accreditation (JCA) is the world’s first structured communication certification for children aged 7–16. The programme has been carefully designed by a former teaching leader to build confidence, character, and real-world speaking skills that last a lifetime.Our progressive, globally relevant public speaking programme can be offered as both an external ECA at your school or a fully-resourced scheme of work to be integrated within your school's curriculum.
What Makes Us Unique?
What's different about Junior Communicators?
Unlike traditional performance based public speaking or drama classes, JCA is focused on real-world communication - the kind of confident, purpose-driven speaking that prepares students for interviews, leadership roles, public platforms, and meaningful conversations they'll have throughout life. Each task has a real-world focus and each challenge celebrates the children communicating with authenticity, creativity and originality, as well as clarity, expression and confidence.
Each level involves a prescribed number of hours, hands-on speaking experiences, and a final showcase or project - leading to a formally recognised CPD certification.
Structured progression: Students earn step-by-step official recognition (Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards) for completing real-world speaking challenges, tasks and performances.Aligned with your school's values: Our approach is not one size fits all. We make efforts to ensure our programme is aligned with your school's values and curriculum.Globally distinctive: Although other performance based speaking certifications are available, no other real-world based, character building, progressive communication award like this currently exists for young people.
Do all children have to go through the certification?
No, only if they're comfortable to do so. We have a very inclusive programme. Fun is the main goal!
Why is it needed?
We know that communication and public speaking is an essential skill for life, yet it rarely receives the same attention within school curriculums as literacy or numeracy.JCA fills this gap by offering:
Carefully structured skills built by an educator and performer with over twenty years of experience.61% of UAE parents say confidence is the number 1 skill they want for their child (UAE parental study 2025). Something our sessions are all about!A safe space to practise presence and expression in a warm, nurturing, fun and ambitious environment.Practical skills with real-life relevance.A journey of impactful growth which all children can be proud of and certified in.
Yearly Structure (Term by Term)
Term 1 - Bronze Level
Theme: Finding Your Voice
Duration: 8–10 weeks | 60–90 mins/week
Focus: Confidence, clarity, creative self-expression
Modules:
Stage presence & posture
Vocal power & breathing
Expressive storytelling
Audience connection
Overcoming nerves
First structured speech
Peer coaching and feedback
Final performance & reflection
Output:
2 speeches + self-reflection (peer and mentor assessed)
Outcome: Bronze Certificate
Term 2 - Silver Level
Theme: Shaping Your Message
Duration: 10–12 weeks | 60–90 mins/week
Focus: Persuasion, storytelling, teamwork
Modules:
Speech structure & storytelling
Adapting to different audiences
Persuasive language & rhetorical tools
Group collaboration & pitch planning
Presentation skills (voice, body, visuals)
Debate intro: forming arguments
Group project showcase
Solo persuasive speech
Feedback, revision, and reflection
Output:
1 group pitch + 1 solo persuasive talk (rubric assessed)
Outcome: Silver Certificate + Speech Portfolio
Term 3 - Gold Level
Theme: Using Your Voice to Make a Difference
Duration: 12 weeks | 60–90 mins/week**
Focus: Leadership, advocacy, real world speaking scenarios, on-the-spot talks
Modules:
TED-style speech writing
Choosing an issue that matters
Research, credibility, and storytelling
Emotional impact & call to action
Debate, interviews, and pressure tasks
Campaign creation (video, pitch, panel)
Final keynote performance
Student-led showcase or video submission
Output:
1 campaign project + final performance (panel feedback)Outcome: Gold Certificate + Public Portfolio + Feedback Panel Recognition
Additional Information
Students can join at their appropriate starting level or progress term by term or year-on-year.All materials, resources, and certificates are provided.
Sessions are inclusive and scaffolded - no prior speaking experience required.Potential to train your school's staff in delivery of the programme or provide online materials for delivery in-house.
About your coach
Hi, I’m Adam Coutts: founder of the Junior Communicators Accreditation (JCA).I’m a UK-trained actor, qualified teacher and teacher leader with over 15 years' experience in the acting industry and more than a decade working in education. My journey has taken me from the stage to the classroom, but my mission has always been the same:
helping young people find their voice and use it with confidence.I’ve had the privilege of founding a theatre school in the UK, working with hundreds of students across all backgrounds to build the soft skills that truly matter: communication, confidence, teamwork, and presentation.After working at DESS as a lead teacher, I’m proud to bring my life's passion to Dubai through JCA - a structured, fun, and accessible programme that uses drama-based communication techniques to develop real-life speaking skills and character development in children aged 7–16.Whether a child is shy, expressive, or somewhere in between, JCA is here to help young people share their voice speak clearly, calmly, and confidently in school and beyond.Previously worked with: National Theatre, The Globe, National Theatre of Scotland, Paines Plough, BBC Writersroom, Pauline Quirke Academy
Work as an educator includes: Dubai English Speaking School (DESS), International School Aberdeen (ISA)
Co-founder of: Ten Feet Tall Theatre (UK)