Dearing complex

Helpful advice comes from the Higher Education Information Service Trust (Heist) to all university marketing heads too busy to have finished reading the Dearing report - don't bother. "The size and scope of the Dearing report, its sub-reports and various appendices, make overall comprehension and analysis difficult," the introduction to Heist's new report, Dearing: A Review from a Marketing Perspective, explains. "This is compounded to some extent by the inconsistencies and contradictions that are evident." Heist proceeds with a 36-page analysis of Dearing, admitting that "we have 'read' Reports 1-9 and Appendix 4", but not the rest. Their conclusion:

"Politically (the Kennedy report into further education), its analysis and recommendations, appear to more closely align with the priorities of the government and are therefore likely to be the basis for the legislative agenda."