HIGHLIGHT: A Celebration for Ascension Day Eucharist live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. The preacher is the Dean of Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge, the Revd Dr Michael Banner. Thursday 8pm, Radio 4

TELEVISION: Sunday 1.15pm (BBC1) Songs of Praise The Revd Kate Bottley looks at evidence of early Christianity in Northumberland.

10.15pm (ITV) Britain’s Strictest Headmistress Jeremy Paxman visits the school run by Katharine Birbalsingh, in one of London’s most deprived boroughs.

Thursday 9pm (BBC2) Art That Made Us The actor Michael Sheen recalls his 2011 production The Passion of Port Talbot (8/8).

RADIO: Sunday 8.10am (R4) Sunday Worship The Dean of Durham, the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, leads a service to mark the 1000th anniversary of Durham Cathedral’s receiving the remains of the Venerable Bede.

10.30am (World Service) Heart and Soul Claire Jones explores whether armed forces personnel can “find their faith” in times of unrest.

3pm (R3) Choral Evensong A repeat of this week’s service live from Durham Cathedral.

Tuesday 9.05am, 8.05pm (World Service) The Other Side of Death Row The sister of a prisoner executed in the US reflects on the death penalty.

Wednesday 4pm (R3) Choral Evensong Live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on the eve of Ascension Day.

Thursday 11pm (R4) Gaslit, Groomed and Ghosted Luisa Omielan argues that the reputation of Mary Magdalene has been traduced to hide the true nature of her contribution to Christianity (2/2).