A headteacher said his school was “absolutely delighted” 10 pupils would get the opportunity to be part of the Pope’s visit to the UK.

Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the UK – the first papal visit to the country since 1982 – and he will be at St Mary’s University College, in Twickenham, on September 17 to meet schoolchildren from all over the country.

A ballot involving schools from the Catholic diocese of Westminster was conducted and St Mark’s RC School, in Bath Road, Hounslow, was drawn to attend the educational event.

During the Big Assembly event the Pope will address about 3,000 children and teachers on the university college’s running track.

Paul Enright, headteacher at St Mark’s, confirmed 10 children from the school would be attending the event, although they have not yet been chosen. The school chaplain, Roseleen Fox, will also attend, he added.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted. We want a cross-section of pupils truly representative of our community [to attend]. They will be students who have shown a commitment to the Catholic life of the school.

“We have close links with St Mary’s, many of our staff trained there, including me, we continue to take teachers from there and it is wonderful it is on our doorstep.”

Mr Enright said the visit would be something that would live long in the memories of the children.

He added: “It will be incredible for the children. It’s our 50th anniversary this year, which makes it more significant for us. It’s a wonderful privilege.

"When Pope John Paul II came in 1982 I went to Wembley stadium, I was only young and I remember it clearly. I think it will give a boost to the spiritual life of the school.”