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School
The Karen Clarke Theatre School specialises in teaching children of all ages in all aspects of dance, singing and drama, our aim is to "prepare our pupils for both the amateur and professional stage". Classes are held at local venues throughout the working week and suit all levels of interest and ability whether for examinations or just for fun and exercise. shows :
choreography competition :
festivals:
awards :
classes :
ballet :
tap :
modern :
Grades from Primary to Advanced Major grades. Modern classes have stretching and strengthening movements which are developed into routines. Rhythm is explored and the students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and style. Pupils are encouraged in stretching and pilates exercises, helping to improve their strength, and flexibility, as well as awareness of the importance of the central core.
medal tap :
jazz :
street:
boys:
drama:
singing:
musical theatre :
gcse & a Level :
pas de deux :
timetable:
uniform:
Ballet (ISTD Regulation Imperial Uniform)
Boys Uniform
TAP and Modern Primary to Grade 2 - Navy Lycra Long or Cap Sleeved. Grade 3 Upwards - Cap Sleeved Navy Half Velvet Lycra Leotards
examinations:
health & safety :
matrons:
faculty:PRINCIPAL
STAFF Vicky Jarman AISTD dip
(Tap), AISTD (MT)
Tutor of: Modern, Tap, Ballet.
Show Gallery:
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Every two years, Karen Clarke holds a Christmas Variety Show at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, Surrey where parents can watch their children perform. Every student is invited to take part from the school. Dancers are able to show their talents and skills learnt over the last two years.
Prior to each show pupils are encouraged to create their own work and take on the role of Choreographer. The students can either do a dance for someone else, or themselves, in any dance style, for a large group or solo, a duet or trio. There is also a chance to show off their talents in song too. The competition itself is held on the Rhoda McGaw stage with judges, past pupils and friends of the school. This is a fun exciting enjoyable experience for family and friends to watch.
Pupils are selected for local festivals and from these Karen Clarke enters the "All England" dance competition, which takes place around the country, to find the best dancer in every type of dance genre, from Ballet, to Song and Dance. Dancers compete against different schools in different areas, pushing their all round performance skills and technique. We have had a great success in the All England Dance Finals held at the Peacock Theatre, London during July 2007, with the All England Dancer of the year awarded to Laurretta Summerscales (see left pictured with Dame Beryl Grey). Josh Lay also received the IDTA Song and Dance award. You can find details of pupils recent successes in the "News" link on our homepage. 
Prior to the Christmas Show, awards and certificates are presented to the pupils. The certificates that they receive for their achievements from the past two years are saved for this ceremony. Not only are the certificates that they receive for their achievements, such as, Grooming, Dedication, and Stage Craft awarded, the highest grade exam result in each subject from junior to senior will also be presented. This gives our pupils a goal to achieve! 
Classes are for all abilities, which are on an individual assessment basis regardless of age. The school follows the syllabus and examination requirements for the following organisations - the Imperial Society, Trinity Examination Board and AQA Education Board. 
Imperial syllabus from Primary. Seven grades, 1 through to 6 and Major Grades - Inter Foundation through to Advanced 2. Pointe ballet is taught from Grade 5 upwards. These grades progressively develop a child's technical ability and understanding of dance in relation to music. Ballet is truly the foundation of all dance, all students are encouraged to continue this discipline throughout their development to improve their strength, poise, balance and flexibility. 
Grade examinations from Primary to Advanced Major grades. Apart from being an essential skill for the professional dancer, tap dance is one of the most enjoyable and rhythmic forms of recreational dance.
The school has always included Medal Tap, as it feels it develops the performance style further. It also develops the technical ability and understanding to the highest level. Medal Tap is taken alongside the grade examinations and does not replace graded classes. 
Jazz is an energetic and lively class, suitable for those students studying Grade 2 or above as an additional class. It is extremely popular and has examinations for Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. 
Street is an energetic and popular class suitable for older students preparing for techniques now used in auditioning. 
A class dedicated to boys in grade 3 and above, where the modern work becomes more specialised. The boys still attend the appropriate grade class, where they work with girls on combined exercises.
Apart from dance classes, there are opportunities to act and sing. Trinity Examinations from grades 1 - 8 are designed for the different age groups. We have "Tots", Juniors, Intermediate and Senior courses which work on developing the students confidence, spoken abilities and stretch their acting skills. 
Song is vital in the world of Dance and Musical Theatre. We offer a group singing class in which new repertoire is introduced along with working on the voice itself. Group singing teaches the students to work as part of a team, developing their abilities into harmonies for later in their career in Musical Theatre if pursued. 
Three different age groups work on repertoire from different shows from the West End. Karen Clarke try's to push music from such songwriters as Cole Porter to Sondiem, stretching their knowledge of Musical Theatre from all eras. It is important to be familiar with these to broaden the horizons of the students and to study different song writers and lyricists. A Musical Theatre examination supported by Trinity is also available, that combines all three disciplines of acting, singing and dance, preparing them for performance both on the amateur and professional stage. 
AQA Examining Board. This is a class with a view of taking the GCSE or A Level within a dance school. It is open to anyone over the age of 12 who feels ready to take on this commitment. 
The school has an unusual amount of boys attending, therefore they are encouraged to work with the girls in "Pas De Deux". This expands their dance technique and prepares them ready for the professional stage if followed. 
Click on the day links below to access the school timetable.
All items of uniform can be obtained from Cabaret Dancewear, Knaphill, Surrey (01483 488 440) our regulation uniform is detailed below. 
All pupils are encouraged to take examinations but they are not compulsory. Although we do feel that working and gaining examinations can add to their self confidence and sense of achievement. We are proud of our examination results and congratulate our pupils on their 100% pass rates over the past years. When a pupil is ready to take their examination, letters detailing special extra lessons are sent. Along with these lessons is a mock exam, which is usually held the previous week. The cost of these lessons and the mock is included within the examination costs and detailed in the letter. 
For the safety of your child and other pupils, the correct school uniform must be worn for all classes with hair secured neatly in a bun off the face. No jewelry is to be worn. No responsibility can be taken for your child if they leave the school premises for any reason. We ask that you make your child aware of this and we must receive a letter from you if you wish them to leave unaccompanied. 
All children under the Age of 16 can come to matrons who have all been approved by Surrey County Council. All matrons on duty are CRB checked and wear an ID badge. Please note, matrons are not responsible for the children but look out for them if there is an emergency. 
Tracey K Summerscales
