The fourth iteration of the index, put together by global education consultancy Carfax Education, splits the list into the top providers in different regions of the world.

Benenden has been named top UK Senior School, Cottesmore top UK Prep School, Beau Soleil best in Switzerland and Sotogrande top in the rest of Europe category.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is top among schools in the Middle East, UWCSEA ranked first in South East Asia, Philips Exeter Academy in the US and India’s all-boy boarding school, The Doon School, first in the rest of the world category.

Carfax led a panel of education consultants to select the schools, with criteria such as academic results and preparation for university entry also taken into consideration.

Additionally, schools were selected for their unique ethos, their reputation both locally and internationally, and how they prepare students for life beyond academia, the consultancy added.

“Now in its fourth year, the Schools Index has rapidly become a valuable resource for parents looking for the very best education for their child, wherever they are in the world – as well as for the private schools sector,” head of Education at Carfax Education, Fiona McKenzie, said.

“Demand for excellent schools remains high and is still fiercely competitive, as parents strive to ensure their child receives the strongest foundations to set them up for a lifetime of success.”

“Demand for excellent schools remains high and is still fiercely competitive”

New entries joining the world-renowned schools on the list – such as Eton College, Wycombe Abbey, Rugby School, St Paul’s School in Brazil and Geelong Grammar School in Australia – include UK senior school, Radley and UK prep school, Port Regis, as well as The British School in Delhi and The Dalton School, US.

Brighton College Abu Dhabi, which was ranked second best in the Middle East, said the recognition “reinforces the excellence being demonstrated by our school community”.

“This strength of community, alongside our outstanding academic outcomes and the phenomenal teaching, care and guidance provided by our teachers, will undoubtedly have played a significant role in Brighton College Abu Dhabi being ranked as the second top school in the Middle East by the 2023 school index from Carfax Education,” said head master Scott Carnochan.

The UK’s Sevenoaks School was ranked 22nd best senior school in the UK, ahead of the likes of Winchester and Gordonstoun, and just one place behind Rugby.

Headmaster of the coeducational IB school, Jesse Elzinga pointed to Sevenoaks’s “outstanding academic results, focus on wellbeing and strong service ethos” as the reasons for the  recognition as “a top senior school globally since the Index began”.

“The Schools Index gives parents a helpful insight into what schools offer so they can organise a visit, make an informed choice and decide on the right school for their child,” Elzinga added.

The full list of schools is available here.