This article reports on research investigating the factors which impact on the recruitment and support of high performing leadership teams, funded by the National College. The research involved a comprehensive literature review and case studies of nine English schools. The results show that four themes emerged in relation to high performing teams: the need to create and sustain a team ethos, the need for clarity, for flexibility, and the value placed on the experience of team members. The study found that these teams had not been involved in training aimed at working as a team, challenging the previous literature which highlights the importance of such training. The article concludes by offering suggestions for further research. (Contains 1 note.)