The British School of Brussels (BSB) has once again been recognised on the global stage, having been included in the 2026 Spear’s Schools Index and awarded the status of Top Recommended School in Europe (excluding Switzerland). This latest accolade confirms BSB’s position among the leading private and international schools in the world and as the only school in Belgium to appear in the Spear’s listing for Europe.
The Spear’s Schools Index assesses schools across global regions, including the UK, Europe, the US, Middle East and Asia, and highlights institutions that offer exceptional academic standards, student support and wider opportunities. Unlike traditional league tables that focus largely on exam results, the Spear’s Schools Index takes a holistic view, considering academic outcomes alongside ethos, culture, facilities, wellbeing and the broader development of each student.
Top Recommended status is reserved for very high-calibre schools, marking them out as among the most distinguished schools in the world. Being named a Top Recommended School in Europe (excluding Switzerland) signals that BSB has met rigorous criteria relating to academic performance, school culture, student experience and long-term outcomes. It also confirms BSB’s standing as a school that families and educators around the world can turn to with confidence when seeking an exceptional international education in continental Europe.
“This recognition from Spear’s as a Top Recommended School in Europe is a wonderful affirmation of what happens every day at BSB – in our classrooms, on our sports fields, in our arts spaces and across our campus,” BSB Principal James Penstone said. “It reflects the dedication of our staff, the curiosity and ambition of our students, and the support of families who share our belief in a values-driven, holistic education.”
“We are deeply grateful to Spear’s and their expert partners for this accolade and for their continued confidence in our work as an international school,” he continued. “This recognition is a tremendous honour, and it speaks to the sense of community, belonging and achievement that defines BSB and the experience our students enjoy here.”
BSB’s inclusion in the Spear’s Schools Index is not a one-off achievement but part of a sustained pattern of recognition over several years. Since the launch of the Schools Index in 2020, BSB has been repeatedly listed among the top private schools in Europe and among the leading private schools worldwide.
This relationship has deepened over time: in 2023, BSB was named Spear’s School of the Year, selected from a shortlist of eight outstanding schools across the globe. BSB has also been recognised in the Spear’s 500 index as a Top Ten/Top Flight institution in Europe, further underlining its reputation as a world-leading school.
While the Spear’s Schools Index itself is compiled annually, BSB has now been featured multiple times across Spear’s’ school rankings and awards, including the Schools Index and the Spear’s 500 education category. Each appearance reinforces BSB’s consistent performance and influence within international education.
For BSB, being included in the Spear’s Schools Index as a Top Recommended School in Europe (excluding Switzerland) is a powerful external validation of the school’s mission and day-to-day work. It recognises not only exam success but also BSB’s commitment to student wellbeing, the richness of its Enrichment programme, and its focus on nurturing confident, caring and courageous young people.
This accolade also shines a spotlight on BSB’s role as a leading international school in Belgium and Europe, reflecting the strength of its diverse community, the quality of its teachers and staff, and its commitment to innovation in teaching and learning. In an increasingly competitive landscape for families seeking world-class education, such recognition helps to affirm BSB as a first-choice destination for students from around the world.
Spear’s Magazine is a UK-based publication aimed at high-net-worth individuals, known for its rankings and in-depth coverage of wealth management, philanthropy, and education. Its Spear’s Schools Index, produced in partnership with education specialists (currently Thuso and previously Carfax Education), is widely regarded as a definitive guide to the world’s leading private schools.
Interested in joining the BSB community? Please contact our Admissions team for more details.