At the heart of the programme is the development of a series of ‘Blueprints’ - research-informed teaching aids designed to demonstrate how comic techniques can support learning, knowledge acquisition, critical thinking and engagement across a range of subjects (not just literacy and creativity!). The Blueprints are being developed collaboratively with schools and will offer clear, adaptable approaches for educators working with a wide range of learners, including pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Blueprints will be published in late 2026 - available online for FREE for schools, educators and teacher-training providers, helping to embed comics as a meaningful and accessible tool for learning.
Comic Potential 2 is supported by an advisory group bringing together expertise from across education, research and the comics sector.
Sim Leech
Associate Festival Director, LICAF
Hester Harrington
Secondary School Teacher, Creative Practitioner & Education Outreach Specialist, LICAF
Dr Adrian Copping
Programme Leader, PGCE Primary Programmes Senior Lecturer, University of Cumbria
Professor Andrew Miles
Professor of Sociology, The University of Manchester
Lucy Starbuck Braidley
Comic Boom Podcaster & Head of School Libraries The National Literacy Trust
Kerrie Bumby
Teacher, Sandgate School, Kendal
Rachel Creasy
Teacher, George Hastwell School, Barrow-in-Furness
Peter Houghton
Teacher, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Heysham
Zines, presented by Hester Harrington, outlines what a zine is, offers different techniques for making comic zines, and ways that they can be used in the classroom.
Splash Pages, presented by Hester Harrington, outlines what a splash page is and how they are used in comics, and ways that they can be used in the classroom.
Supported by
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Supported by and in partnership with
Arts Council England
Manchester UNESCO City of Literature
Lyon BD
European Union
The Phoenix
Escola Joso
Comic Art Europe
Comics Art Museum Brussels
