Rutter suggested certain features of a school that make a difference. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

• A. High expectations of pupils.
• B. Setting examples of behaviour.
• C. Encouraging students to do well.
• D. Having a lax timetable.

Answer: (D)

Rutter’s findings on school effectiveness show that a strong learning climate comes from clear aims, high expectations for pupils, and teachers who model positive behaviour and actively encourage students to strive and do well. When staff demonstrate the standards they expect and students are nudged toward achievement within a well-organised, purposeful environment, learning tends to improve. A lax timetable disrupts that structure and routine, reducing focus and increasing opportunities for disruption, which is why it doesn’t fit with the features he identified as making a difference.