 She was educated at St Minver Primary School then Wadebridge School, Downing College, Cambridge, and King's College London (MA International Relations).Vernon started rowing at Castle Dore Rowing Club at Golant in Cornwall when she was 17, influenced by her elder brother and father.She read History at Downing College, Cambridge where she rowed in the women's Blue Boat in 2003, under the presidency of Ruth de Las Casas.