It is perhaps important to remember that the sheer enjoyment of calligraphy is justification in itself for inclusion within the curriculum. Over the past twenty years I have used the material as the foundation for extra-curricular clubs which have been enjoyed by adults as well as younger students. Without a great deal of technical skill, many teachers have adopted the workbook for use in their own schools. However, I have taken the liberty of detailing some of the many ways in which calligraphy can support and develop class based subjects:

• As an extension from a cursive script, italic writing offers a further dimension to the development of a distinct, elegant and adult handwriting script. In the British education system, pupils achieving Level 5 and above within handwriting have the dexterity to adopt a calligraphic script to extend from a basic cursive style. This offers challenge and extension to what otherwise can be seen as an 'end of the road' discipline by the time students reach the end of the primary phase. Increasingly, secondary school colleagues use the material in study groups to develop and extend pupils' presentation skills.
• Within History, various styles of calligraphy offer an exciting medium for the study of areas such as The Romans, The Celts, The Tudors and The Victorians. Topics such as 'Sacred Writing' within Religious Education have obvious ties with the study of calligraphy.
• At Key Stages 2 and 3, the guide is perfect for developing key National Curriculum programmes of study such as the visual combination of ‘colour, pattern, line and tone, shape form and space’within the art syllabus ; it also offers a unique angle on the ‘role of craftspeople and designers working in different times and cultures’. Within Key Stage 2, I frequently use the material to imaginatively develop and enhance Design Technology QCA schemes such as 5B ‘Containers’.
• As a means of enhancing 'display', calligraphy gives an opportunity for pupils to label and title their own work. Thus display work is given a more child-centred appeal. In addition, different scripts and experimentation with 'layout' can transform the scribing of literature into an art form. The inclusion of letter illumination for younger students can offer an exciting twist to study units such as 'classical poetry'.