THE BISHOP of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, and other members of the diocese spent a morning meeting children and staff at The Federation of Liphook Infant and Junior School.

It was an opportunity for the children to learn about the Bishop’s role.

During the morning, Bishop Christopher, with the Rev Valentine Inglis-Jones, led the junior school in collective worship.

Members of Years 5 and 6 put the Bishop in the hot seat and asked him some very searching questions, such as ‘who created God?’ and ‘where is the proof that Jesus rose from the dead?’

The children asked a range of mature questions, and Bishop Christopher commented that he was extremely impressed by the children’s knowledge and thoughtful questions.

The bishop was impressed by the level of understanding found at the school, and the experience led him to want to do more question-and-answer sessions in schools.

Similar sessions are planned for the future.

Bishop Christopher said: “The children were fantastic. They really challenged me and I love that.”

The children explained their understanding of issues, such as what heaven may look like, as the bishop discussed the beauty that he often sees in the world and within people’s actions.

Children listened intently as Bishop Christopher explained how Bible stories were written and collated, dispelling the children’s belief that the Bible was one book written many years ago.

Executive headteacher Michele Frost said that it was a wonderful opportunity to show the Bishop how Liphook school life embraces the Christian ethos and has the church’s values embedded throughout the school.