This paper raises questions about schools as positive models of caring societies. Against a background of growing concern for the mental health of children it addresses the centrality of ‘nurture’ and its close cousin ‘care’ as a whole school value, theorised as both a means and an end of schooling. How might school leaders communicate a principle of mutual care and inspire whole school commitment from staff, pupils and parents? Discussion is informed by qualitative data (interviews, focus groups and observations) from a comparative study of seven schools in the NW of England which use the principles and practices of nurture groups. Three demonstrated strong leadership based on ‘deep care’ and an emphasis on ongoing relationships with children. The paper concludes that leadership, as evidenced in the good practice reported here, can go some way towards bringing about the ideal of a whole school ethos of care.