“He is the gentlest of intellectual power houses, and we are proud to call him one of our own.”

Visiting lecturer, Professor Albin Cofone from SUNY Suffolk College in New York State, has a relationship with Solihull School that stretches back more than 14 years. Some of the Sixth Form students who attended the lecture remember his visits to the Junior School more than a decade ago and Solihull is, said Professor Cofone, somewhere he comes back to each year with real pleasure, to “feel like an educator again.”

Earlier in the week, Professor Cofone explored aspects of his home nation with Prep School pupils from as young as 7 years old – talking about the differences between the US and the UK and the physical geography of North and South America – as well as taking questions on a myriad of topics.

During the Senior School lecture, one of a series named after school archivist and former History teacher John Loynton, Professor Cofone delved into US presidential history to help pupils understand the development of a US centre-right political system that has led almost inevitably to the Trump presidency. Following the talk, entitled ‘An American Conundrum; Expansionist and Isolationist Whispers in the Ear of Donald Trump’,  Professor Cofone again took questions on a range of subjects, including the likely longer-term impact of Trump’s policy decisions and pronouncements on international politics. 

Head of History and Politics, Mr Affleck, said: “Professor Cofone is famous amongst the pupils at Solihull and the fact that so many pupils, from ages 11-18, were eager to give up their lunchtime to hear from him shows the regard in which he is held.

“His presentation provided an expert insight into current American politics showing that President Trump, though arguably extreme in his approach, nevertheless sits within the context of American history. His talk to the Sixth Form historians later in the day, about JFK’s election, was equally illuminating, and the students greatly enjoyed the opportunity to discuss American history with him in a smaller group. Professor Cofone’s visits inform, entertain and challenge our pupils – we are already looking forward to his next trip to Solihull!”

Mr Penney, Head of the Prep School, reflected on the relationship that Professor Cofone has built with Solihull over more than a decade. "We all, staff and children, very much look forward to Al's yearly visits. His vast knowledge and appetite for learning, coupled with his ability to engage audiences young and old are rare gifts.

“He is the gentlest of intellectual power houses, and we are proud to call him one of our own.”