Education Insider Magazine selected the Berlin British School(BBS) as the Top British School in Europe 2026. BBS was picked following nominations from education professionals and academic leaders, as well as an editorial review of areas including academic excellence, curriculum strength, faculty expertise, global outlook, student development and institutional impact. The editorial team also recognised BBS’s student-first approach: supporting each child as an individual, combining academic ambition with pastoral care, targeted language support, small class sizes and a learning environment where students feel happy, supported and able to grow with confidence. Turning Curriculum, Culture and Care into One Coherent School Journey Before students at BBS acquire their first concept or write their first essay, they learn how it feels to belong. Two of the school’s three campuses are set within the Grunewald forest, while the Primary School sits on its edge, giving students regular opportunities to learn, play and explore outdoors. The forest and its abundant offerings are embedded in their curriculum, providing the students with plentiful opportunities for outdoor learning. After 25 years at BBS, including eight in a leadership role, Mrs Phelan has seen the school become a place where academic excellence is matched by attentive care and a focus on each student’s individual needs. That clarity of purpose was recognised in 2026 when Education Insider Europe named BBS the Top British School in Europe. For Mrs Phelan, the recognition acknowledged the work the school was already doing to help children feel grounded, supported and ready to learn. “We have something very special here. It sets us apart from other German and international schools,” adds Mrs Phelan.
Top Private Primary and Lower Secondary Day School in Europe 2026
At Castelli International School, educators combine the academic rigour of the Italian ministerial curriculum with English-language instruction and internationally recognised Cambridge pathways. The Founder, Marian Yacenko Palladino, established the school in 1977 to give Italian students access to English education without losing the strong foundations of the Italian system. Long before international education became widespread in Italy, Castelli introduced a hands-on, inquiry-driven model that integrated the Italian curriculum with English-language learning. Built around the philosophy “When I do, I understand,” the school encourages students to learn through discussion, experimentation, collaboration and real-world experiences rather than passive memorisation. That model continues to shape the school today. Since becoming a Cambridge International School in 2013, Castelli has combined strong Italian foundations in subjects such as maths, science and history with internationally recognised English qualifications. Although the Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language exam is typically completed at age 16, Castelli students take it at 13, with 100 per cent achieving a C grade or higher and the majority earning A or B grades. Graduates move confidently into Italian, British, American and international secondary schools, while alumni have gone on to careers in engineering, aviation, law, finance and start-ups. “We want students to become positive and active contributors to our society and to our world,” says Natasha Palladino, Head of School.
Top Catholic Co-Educational School in UK 2026
Fidelis College intentionally aligns academic rigour with character formation, recognising both as connected outcomes of school life. Learning, pastoral care and co-curricular activities collectively nurture the whole student. Catholic values shape how the school community learns, interacts and supports one another. Principles of dignity, service, intellectual curiosity and moral responsibility create a culture of respectful dialogue and challenge, helping students build confidence, develop responsibility and make steady personal progress. The school’s academic approach reflects these same principles in practice. Fidelis combines guided instruction, discussion, structured debate, deliberate practice and independent inquiry to make lessons adaptive and purposeful. Clear explanation helps students understand the “why” behind their learning while the structured tutorial system provides regular support for academic progress, wellbeing and personal growth. “Students are stretched intellectually but within an environment that prioritises encouragement, reflection and steady progress,” says Mr Candia, the Director of Admissions. Strengthening Character through Consistent Guidance Pastoral care forms a consistent part of the school’s daily experience. Tutors maintain a continuous view of each student’s academic progress and personal growth through meetings every three weeks. Everyday interactions, from greetings and check-ins to recognition of effort, help build a strong sense of belonging and deepen personal connection. This approach showed clear impact in the case of one student with strong academic potential who often avoided challenge because of a fear of failure. Tutors responded with manageable targets, regular review and steady guidance that helped make challenge feel achievable without lowering expectations. Classroom teachers reinforced this support with appropriate academic stretch, allowing the student to feel encouraged while continuing to grow. Over time, the student participated more actively and became more willing to take intellectual risks. Confidence, resilience and independence grew, reflecting Fidelis’ broader focus on meaningful progress.
Top Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Platform in Europe 2026
“Mom, Dad… I don’t feel so good today. I don’t want to go to school.” It’s a line most parents recognise. Yet the message beneath those words often goes unnoticed. Reluctance to attend school can signal anxiety, stress or a deeper need for support. When recognised early, these cues open the door to help long before a child reaches crisis. For BACP-accredited therapist, parent coach, author and mother, Alicia Drummond, that insight reshaped her entire career. After years of watching young people withdraw in silence while adults misread the signs, she realised the issue wasn’t children’s resilience but a lack of awareness in the environments around them. The repeated patterns across classrooms and clinics revealed the need for something beyond one-to-one therapy—a way to reach the adults shaping a child’s daily world. Teen Tips was Drummond’s way of closing that gap and ensuring no quiet cry for help goes unheard. Her philosophy was simple. “If we can tweak the environments around young people, many of them would never need therapy to begin with,” says Drummond, CEO. “Prevention is most powerful when it reaches beyond the individual. When the environments that surround kids are steady and supportive, we give them resilience for life.” That belief took shape in The Wellbeing Hub, Teen Tips’ online platform, which combines practical guidance, staff training and age-appropriate resources in one place. Its A to Z of Wellbeing includes activities from art and altruism to music and mindfulness, helping young people discover what steadies them and helps them thrive. The Wellbeing Hub’s strength lies in how naturally it fits into school life. Rather than relying on rigid lesson plans, teachers can access ready-made, evidence-based materials, including wellbeing lessons and CPD training modules, as well as expert-led Q&A guides. Because The Wellbeing Hub centralises what schools usually have to source separately— resources for staff, content for PSHE lessons, and webinars for parents—teachers save, on average, an hour and a half each week and redirect that time to supporting pupils.
CXO INSIGHTS
Building a Culture of Belonging in Co-Curricular Activities
Jason Alexander Knighton-Johnson, Director of Educational Equity, Mounds View Public Schools
Curriculum Innovation for Student Success and Institutional Growth
Dr. Ken Powell, Director of Curriculum, Canterbury Christ Church University
How Business Schools Can Justify Their Worth
Ronan Gruenbaum, Dean of International Affairs & Program Development, Hult International Business School
Vibe Coding and the Future of Accessible Technology Creation
James Abela, Director of Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship, Garden International School
Preparing Students for a Global Stage
Tom Vignoles, Head of School, The British School of Lome
IN FOCUS
Catholic Co-Education in Europe: Fostering Growth and Values
Catholic co-educational schools promote value-based education, foster academic excellence, and support personal and social development.
Empowering Students: British Schools Setting Trends in Europe
British schools provide a high standard of education, foster creativity, and equip students for higher education globally.
EDITORIAL
Shaping the Future of Education through Excellence and Care
Our cover story features Berlin British School, recognised as the Top British School in Europe 2026. By combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, inclusive learning support and a global outlook, the school creates a nurturing environment where every student is encouraged to grow, succeed and develop a strong sense of belonging.
We also feature Castelli International School, named the Top Private Primary and Lower Secondary Day School in Europe 2026. Through a blend of Italian and international educational approaches, hands-on learning and critical thinking, the school helps students develop the confidence and curiosity needed to succeed in the future.
Also recognised are Cottesmore School, the Top Boarding Prep School in UK 2026, for its commitment to academic achievement, wellbeing and character development, and Fidelis College, the Top Catholic Co-Educational School in UK 2026, for fostering a learning environment where strong values and academic rigour go hand in hand.
This edition also includes insights from education leaders shaping the future of learning. Ronan Gruenbaum of Hult International Business School shares his perspective on preparing students for an AI-driven future, while Raphael Dechief of the International School of Brussels explores why cyber resilience has become an essential priority for schools.
The stories in these pages reflect a common theme: great education is not only about what students learn, but also about who they become. We invite you to explore this edition and discover how these schools are helping young people build the knowledge, character and adaptability needed for the future.
