How can ethical leadership influence school culture? A reflection on my leadership journey so far

JAMES CLEMENTS FCCT, FOREST SCHOOL, UK

Throughout my journey in senior leadership, one question always surfaces: ‘What’s your leadership style?’ My answer always contains an element of ‘ethical leadership’. But beyond the buzzword, what does leading ethically truly involve and how does it shape school culture? This reflection delves into my role as a leader and highlights some research linking ethical leadership to school culture.

The foundations of ethical leadership

Ethical leadership, grounded in honesty, fairness and integrity, is fundamental to shaping a positive school environment (Ahmed, 2023). These core values guide decision-making, helping to establish an inclusive, supportive atmosphere for staff and pupils. Leading ethically involves transparency, care for all stakeholders and fostering a culture of respect and accountability. Ethical leadership is about embodying principles such as honesty, integrity and fairness and navigating the complexities of change within an educational environment. 

Toytok and Kapusuzoglu (2016) demonstrate how ethical leaders infuse moral principles into daily actions. In a school setting, this means prioritising the wellbeing of both pupils and staff, even in complex or conflicting situations. Such leadership fosters trust and a more positive school environment (BERA, 2024). Fullan (2023) argues that effective leadership requires guiding schools through continuous change, fostering adaptability while maintaining core ethical standards. In an ever-evolving educational landscape, leaders must manage the logistics of change and ensure that decisions remain grounded in ethical principles. Fullan emphasises that the ability to lead ethically during times of transformation is essential for maintaining trust, supporting staff and ensuring that the needs of students remain at the forefront of decision-making. School leaders can create a stable foundation that helps teachers and students to thrive, even amid uncertainty, by aligning leadership with ethical values.

The reach and influence of ethical leadership

The Ethical Leadership Commission (ELC), established by ASCL, sought to address the need for guiding principles in educational leadership. According to Carolyn Roberts, Chair of the ELC (2017), ‘The nation trusts us to form young people into the best that they can be. The public expects us to know what kind of example we should set them, but do we? How do we know what’s right or wrong?’ Launched in 2017, the Commission brought together senior educational leaders to create the ‘Framework for ethical leadership in education’, a guide to help leaders to navigate complex ethical decisions and challenge unethical practices (ASCL, 2019a). The ELC’s final report, ‘Navigating the educational moral maze’, was released in 2019, advocating for embedding ethical principles across educational institutions, with support from organisations like the National Governance Association and Chartered College of Teaching (ASCL, 2019b). Ethical leadership goes beyond setting standards for honesty and fairness; it is about creating an environment where these values become ingrained in every interaction and decision. Leaders who prioritise ethical practices lay a foundation for a culture of mutual respect, which in turn fosters trust and a supportive environment that encourages both personal and professional growth.

According to Woods (2020), effective ethical leadership is built on pillars of integrity, transparency and resilience. This model advocates for a leadership approach that consistently places the welfare of pupils and staff at the forefront, shaping school culture by emphasising values that drive every aspect of the educational environment. Ethical leaders who model these principles influence staff and indirectly impact pupils, as these values become the norm within the school.

Ethical leadership in practice

For teachers, ethical leadership serves as both a source of support and a model of expected behaviours, which can translate into their interactions with pupils. When teachers feel valued and trusted, they are more likely to replicate these qualities in their classrooms, fostering a nurturing learning environment where pupils feel safe to express themselves and engage. Studies have shown that such environments contribute to better pupil behaviour and engagement, indirectly leading to improved academic performance and social outcomes (Leithwood et al., 2004). Moreover, ethical leadership can guide schools in managing challenges, particularly when faced with difficult decisions. According to the ‘Framework for ethical leadership in education’, ethical leaders prioritise transparency, open communication and the inclusionAn approach where a school aims to ensure that all children are educated together, with support for those who require it to access the full curriculum and contribute to and participate in all aspects of school life of diverse perspectives to navigate conflicts in a way that honours the needs and voices of all stakeholders (ASCL, 2019a). This collaborative approach reinforces trust and cultivates a team-oriented culture where everyone is invested in the school’s success.

The broader impact on school values and practices

Implementing ethical leadership sets a standard of accountability, honesty and responsibility, permeating every school level. Guided by ASCL’s ‘Framework for ethical leadership in education’ (2019a), which highlights virtues like trust, wisdom, justice and service, ethical leaders foster an environment grounded in fairness and respect. By consistently upholding these principles, school leaders embed a culture of integrity that transcends individual actions, creating a cohesive organisational ethos. Over time, this dedication to ethical practices offers pupils explicit role models who demonstrate the importance of principled choices, even in the face of challenges. Embedding ethical leadership into the school’s fabric supports a values-driven culture, ensuring that integrity and fairness are integral to all educational practices.

The role of ethical leadership in shaping school culture

Ethical leadership profoundly impacts school culture, fostering an environment where fairness and respect are embedded in daily practices. Supported teachers are more likely to contribute positively to the school community, modelling the behaviours that underpin a respectful and inclusive culture. Research underlines this connection. Leithwood et al. (2004) highlight that ethical leadership influences staff performance and learning outcomes. Leaders who model ethical behaviour set a standard that permeates the school, shaping interactions among staff and pupils (Hollands, 2020). This inclusive and respectful environment positively affects pupil behaviour and attitudes toward learning. However, ethical leadership requires constant reflection and adaptability. In my experience, competing interests often make determining the most ethical course of action challenging. In these cases, transparency and open communication ensure that all voices are considered, even when decisions are difficult.

Challenges and considerations

Implementing ethical leadership is complex, often involving ethical dilemmas with no straightforward answers. It requires a solid ethical foundation and a willingness to reflect and consult with others. School leaders must balance the needs of pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. Ethical leadership doesn’t simplify decisions but provides a framework for making fair and transparent choices. Fullan (2023) stresses the importance of resilience, adaptability and a moral imperative in navigating change. Ensuring that ethical standards are upheld at every school level can also be challenging. This requires all staff to model and commit to these values, creating a consistent ethical culture. School leaders can address these challenges by fostering fairness and respect in every decision, while preserving the school’s integrity.

Reflections and future directions

I am convinced of the crucial role of ethical leadership in shaping a positive school culture. By modelling integrity, fairness and respect, school leaders establish an environment where both staff and pupils feel valued and motivated. This aligns closely with the headteachers’ standards, which call on leaders to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour, fostering a school culture rooted in mutual respect and responsibility (DfEDepartment for Education - a ministerial department responsible for children’s services and education in England, 2020). However, understanding the direct impact of ethical leadership on specific outcomes remains an area for further exploration.

Looking forward, I am eager to explore how ethical leadership principles can be more effectively embedded into professional development programmes for school leaders and staff. Woods (2020) provides insights into the nine pillars of effective leadership, while Roberts (2019) offers practical strategies for embedding ethical practices within schools. Integrating these frameworks with the ethical expectations outlined in the Headteachers’ Standards could enhance leadership training, equipping leaders to cultivate school cultures that reflect shared values and ethical consistency.

Questions for further consideration

1. How can we effectively evaluate the impact of ethical leadership on school culture and team dynamics?
2. What is the role of student voice in shaping and assessing ethical leadership?
3. How can ethical frameworks adapt to diverse school contexts?

Conclusion

Ethical leadership plays a central role in shaping school culture and establishing a foundation of mutual respect, trust and accountability that permeates every level of an organisation. School leaders set a powerful example through embodying values such as integrity, wisdom and justice, fostering a collaborative environment where staff and pupils alike are encouraged to uphold ethical standards. The ‘Framework for ethical leadership in education’ (ASCL, 2019a) serves as a crucial guide for educational leaders, offering a structured approach to decision-making that prioritises fairness and moral responsibility. Research, such as that by Zacarias and Flores (2024), underscores how ethical leadership can strengthen school culture through fostering organisational citizenship, where all members are committed to shared values and supportive behaviours. My experiences in senior leadership have reinforced the transformative potential of ethical leadership to create a values-driven and supportive school community. While further research may quantify its broader impact on pupil outcomes, the role of ethical leadership in cultivating a positive school culture is clear and significant. In today’s complex educational landscape, ethical leadership provides the consistency and moral grounding that schools need to thrive.