School quality ratings are weak predictors of students' achievement and well-being.
Sophie von StummEmily Smith-WoolleyRosa CheesmanJean-Baptiste PingaultKathryn AsburyPhilip S DaleRebecca AllenYulia V KovasRobert PlominPublished in: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines (2020)
Our findings suggest that differences in school quality, as indexed by Ofsted ratings, have little relation to students' individual outcomes. Accordingly, our results challenge the usefulness of Ofsted ratings as guides for parents and students when choosing secondary schools.