This paper is based on the author’s inaugural professorial lecture, given in March 2014 (Greany, T (2014) Are we nearly there yet?: Progress, issues and possible next steps for a self-improving school system, IOE Press, London) and a literature review on the same topic, done for the Association of School and College Leaders in England to inform their Blueprint for a Self-Improving System consultation document (see: www.ascl.org.uk/newsand- views/blueprint-for-selfimproving-system/). It is informed by his experience working as a senior civil servant for the National College for School Leadership until 2013, in particular the work he undertook with Professor David Hargreaves to develop his four thinkpieces on the self-improving system (2010, 2011, 2012a and 2012b) and by his work with others in the College to shape the concept and implementation of Teaching Schools, National Leaders of Education and system leadership. The paper is also informed by various empirical projects that Professor Greany is currently undertaking to explore the nature and impact of current school reforms in England.