This essay consists of four main parts. The first part aims to present some of the Swedish and Irish school systems giving explanations for different schools, levels, years and current school curricula and syllabuses. The second part shows the result of a research of the governing organs within the education system in each country. Responsibilities of departments, associations and councils are presented together with school policies and attempts for reform. The third part gives a presentation and a discussion on the relevant literature relating to the main school policies in Sweden and Ireland. The key words for this part are school development, school improvement and teacher leadership. In the fourth part of this essay I present the result of a conducted study with school teachers in Sweden and Ireland. Ten teachers, five from each country, working in primary and secondary schools, have answered questions concerning their job and their country’s school policy. Their answers have been compared and contrasted in relation to part two and three in the essay, and also in relation to their nationalities. Finally a fifth part will summarise, conclude and reflect the essay as a whole.