Liverpool school stars in Songs of Praise

Chenelle Onwuama and Teri-Leigh MacPherson during the interview with Rev Kate Bottley

Students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington, Liverpool, featured in a recent episode of BBC One's Songs of Praise. The academy welcomed Rev Kate Bottley, former Gogglebox star and journalist, who spoke to students in a segment called 'Grave Talk', with Emily Ridgway from The Good Funeral Company.

Grave Talk is a Church of England initiative and encourages people of all ages to talk, listen and share their thoughts about the end of life.

The discussion took place in the academy's chapel with more than 20 students talking openly about the subject.

A range of questions were put to the students including 'What music would you like to have played at your funeral?' and 'What is your favourite possession and who are you leaving it to?' One student said her Bible was her most prized possession as it contains all her personal annotations.

Jack Eaglestone explained that his birth certificate was very important to him. He explained: "I would leave it to my brother, mainly because my middle name is Dalgleish after the very famous former Liverpool FC player, and I managed to get it signed by him (Kenny Dalgleish)."

After the discussion, Rev Kate Bottley asked students how they found the exercise, and all of them said they found it liberating.

Niota Mupingu told Rev Kate: "I found it very insightful and it was nice to talk about things and hear other people's opinions."

Chenelle Owuoawa added: "I think that if you talk about death rather than being scared of it, it makes it a lot easier."

Emily Ridgway, administrator at The Good Funeral Company, said: "I can't reiterate just how amazing the students were that day. They really shone."

Headteacher of The Academy of St Francis Assisi, Ms Jo Leech said: "It was a pleasure to welcome BBC Songs of Praise and The Good Funeral into the academy. The students were really engaged with the thought-provoking activity and shared their honest opinions about the end of life which is important to talk about at any age."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001h8nd/songs-of-praise-faith-and-grief