This article examines the relationships that link student experience in schools, student outcomes, the nature of society and school leadership process. Each of these areas of study has its own literature and this article does no more than indicate where some of that may be read. The linking of these phenomena indicates a tight relationship, which militates against change and explains a very conservative, internally consistent, cycle. The cycle may reinforce characteristics of society that are unwelcome: for instance, the low turnout at elections and a perceived lack of other citizenship traits. A premise of this article is that we should seek to create a society in which citizens feel responsible for the strategic determination of policy, whether about relations with other states or about the culture within the UK. Change will require actors at some stage in the cycle to break away from the tight relationship with the other phenomena. Those who are responsible for the professional development of educational leaders are uniquely situated to put a spoke into the cycle. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)