Educational attainment was measured using the proxy of GCSE exam results. This indicator is believed to be the most used, understood and consistent over time, as well as being publicly available The attainment dataset, covering the period of 1994 to 2007, was obtained from the Department for Children, Schools and Families website (www. dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables).
Student motivation was quantified using the indirect measure of unauthorised absence. It is believed that this is the best hard metric to approximate students' attitude towards learning. The unauthorised absence dataset, including years from 1994 to 2007, was compiled from the Department for Children, Schools and Families website (www. dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway).
Additional data on school construction was obtained directly from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and PFI data from Her Majesty's Treasury website (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ppp_pf_stats.htm). This allowed us to:
• Identify the type of construction works undertaken (i.e, isolate rebuilt schools)
• Classify the school type (i.e, PFI and conventional schools)
• Establish the reopening date (i.e, the teaching in the new building started)