On Thursday 1st December, Dr Brian Ireland from the University of South Wales visited the College to lead a session on the development of African-American Civil Rights with Year 13 History students. Dr Ireland presented an overview of the different phases of the movement from the US Civil War to the end of the 1960s, focussing on how the way historians have interpreted these events has changed over time. He explained the concepts of 'top down' and 'bottom up' interpretations of history, and outlined several themes directly relevant to the Personal Investigation element of the new A level course. It was a very interesting and useful talk, and we very much hope to be able to welcome Dr Ireland to Howell's again next year.