Evidence is provided to illustrate that the current level of spending on books by English secondary schools is low with regard to maintaining existing book stocks and that parental expenditure is not making up the shortfall. An analysis of the inspection regime suggests a tendency to emphasise information and communications technology (ICT) to the relative neglect of books. The authors also provide an empirical study at school level of the respective contribution of books, ICT and other inputs to both student performance and overall success in inspections. Its findings raise important questions about not only the efficiency of resource allocation but also the role and mutual consistency of the examination and inspection systems.