This article examines the policy construction of leadership at all levels in Scottish education. In the current reforms 'leadership at all levels' is being used to mobilise support around changes to the role of the headteacher and of the local authorities (LAs) to bring about greater system alignment. From a critical policy analysis six themes are reported on: (1) Social Justice Ideology and the Equity Agenda -- Perception Versus Reality?; (2) Mobilising Support for Reform -- Managing Perceptions of the Public?; (3) Mobilising Support for New Governance -- Managing Perceptions of the Teaching Profession?; (4) Mobilising Support for Restructuring -- Managing the Middle Tier?; (5) Mobilising Support for Empowerment and Collaboration -- Leadership at all Levels?; (6) Policy Rhetoric Versus Practice Realities -- System Alignment through Empowerment?