London, Jun 27 : English actress Kate Winslet reportedly stunned pupils at her old stage school when she turned up for a rehearsal session.

The students had no idea that Winslet, 33, was there until stage curtains were drawn back at Blessed Hugh Faringdon School, Southcote, Reading.

"Don't be shy because I am very normal. Ask me questions, anything you like," the Sun quoted her as saying.

The actress, who is a patron of Berkshire-based amateur dramatic group Starmaker, answered questions from budding actors and actresses before taking part in a drama workshop.

The `Titanic' star then went on to give acting tips to the actors on how to overcome first night nerves.

"When the lights come on you're so blinded you can't see the audience. So you don't have to be nervous at all," she said.

She watched rehearsals for productions of Boogie Nights and Wizard of Oz, before taking part in a workshop with Jack Kowalik, 15.

"I was so starstruck because she was acting right next to me, and I was thinking: `What if I do something really bad'?" Kowalik said. (ANI)