Responsibility weighs heavily on him at times. He pushes himself to do his best.

The signature shows that home life is important. The covering strokes (where the pen goes up to retrace downward strokes) show that he likes to follow procedure.

He may have a short fuse, shown by the way the ink fills in some letters, but he can work it off by channelling his energy into being busy.

Small starting strokes on some letters show careful preparation, and the way the “t” bars are linked to the end of some words is indicative of a writer who double-checks.

This man will work hard and thoroughly, will see it as his responsibility to show people the right way and cares deeply about giving good service.

Mr Burford needs to operate without people controling his process, and is at his best when offered a challenge.

Paul Burford is head of creative arts at Birchfield community school, Aston, Birmingham It’s spot-on. Reading it I think, I’d give this man a job. What did strike me was that this man shouldn’t be teacher. I feel a career change coming on. I am a perfectionist. The last bit about not wanting people controlling my process is true - I don’t like the national curriculum restrictions.

Elaine Quigley doesn’t mention anything about being artistic - apart from that, I can’t find anything to disagree with. I am very much a family man - it’s about the most important thing in my life.

I’ll have to show this to my head - she says I write like a madman.

Elaine Quigley and Paul Burford were talking to Harvey McGavin. Does someone you know have unusual handwriting? Send an example - including signature - on unlined paper with contact details to Jill Craven, Friday magazine, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W1BX. You can email Elaine Quigley at equit.text@virgin.net