�“Step to one side, put one foot behind the other and then do a quick bounce.” That’s the best way to do it, according to Grace Taylor.

�“Step to one side, put one foot behind the other and then do a quick bounce.” That’s the best way to do it, according to Grace Taylor.

The 15-year-old, who has been selected to give a posy to the Queen, is brushing up on her all-important curtsy in preparation for the royal visit today (Friday).

Grace said: “I am excited but just really nervous, because I have never done anything like this before. I have even thought about the questions that she could ask me, but I just seem to go blank.”

Grace is not the only one that wants to see the day go smoothly.

Principal Matthew Slater was so eager to ensure that the visit went to plan that he arranged for the students to be given etiquette lessons.

Student John Rogers, who will be having lunch with the Queen, said: “We had someone talk to us about how to use a knife and fork and I think that has boosted everyone’s confidence.

“But I am so nervous to get it right that I think that if the Queen speaks to me, I will be so focused on picking up the right knife and fork, I won’t have time to relax and enjoy the experience.”

Ruth Mensah, 14, is excited, but nervous about eating with the Queen, but she won’t be letting her nerves get in the way on the day.

She said: “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we have to have fun with it.”

Drama students are also hoping to remember all the things they have been taught when they reprise their last production, Little Shop of Horrors for Her Majesty.

‘Great success’

Teacher Cyrilene Lee said: “The production was a great success last year, but we didn’t expect that we would be doing it for the Queen.”

Science teacher Pasquale Folgheraites will perform an experiment in front of the Queen.

He said: “My mum is a huge royalist. In 1955 she stood outside Charing Cross station to see the Queen.

“When the Queen went past, a soldier stood right in front of her so she missed the whole thing. She was so disappointed, so I am hoping to get a photo for her.”