Private School vs JISA UK: Pay Fees or Invest?
Seven years of UK private day school costs £170,000. The state-school-plus-JISA alternative is bigger than most parents expect. The maths is uncomfortable for both sides.
£22,000/year invested, ages 11 to 18
JISA + parent ISA at 7% nominal. Same outlay as seven years of senior day school.
Key takeaways
Seven years of UK private day-school fees in 2026 cost roughly £150,000-£170,000 per child
The same money invested in a JISA and a parent ISA at a 7% return produces roughly £200,000 in your child's name by their 18th birthday
A state school plus a £200,000 lump sum at 18 outperforms most private-school outcomes once you control for parental income and prior attainment
Private school can still be the right call for specific children, specific schools, and specific family situations - but the default answer for most UK families is invest the fees