This book provides an insight into the most significant changes ever in the understanding of the nature and purpose of educational leadership. The concept of 'Systems Leadership' is not yet recognised and this book is the first to explore in detail the rationale and implications it will have for educational leadership.The focus of this book is one of the most significant changes ever in the understanding of the nature and purpose of educational leadership.For a generation, educational leadership has been understood in terms of institutional leadership: responsibility for the success and effectiveness of a specific school or college. A primary component of effective leadership was the implementation of national and local education authority policies at school level.A range of forces are now challenging this model. There is increasing emphasis on the development of policy at 'local' level and recognition of the need for local solutions to local problems. At the same time there is a growing emphasis on 'leadership beyond the school', with school leaders becoming increasingly active across the system.System leadership is not yet 'bedded' as a concept but it would appear at present to involve school leaders in: advising on the formulation of national policies and projects; working with local authorities; collaborating and cooperating with leaders of other public services; leading a cluster or federation of schools; leading extended services; working on community initiatives; and, acting as executive headteachers. This book will be the first to explore in detail the rationale for, and the implications of, systems leadership.