Effective leadership and management are increasingly recognised as vital components of successful schooling. This paper examines how they are practiced in England, where there is a high degree of centralization, notably in respect of finance and staffing, but within a tightly constrained curriculum and inspection framework. The paper discusses leadership structures and processes in English schools, explains how principals are prepared for their leadership roles, and examines the evidence on the impact of leadership on school and student outcomes. It concludes that leadership will continue to play a significant part in school improvement.