edwards attended west buckland school where his ability in the triple jump was seen at an early age. he was a strong all-rounder and on leaving received the school's top award for sporting and academic excellence, the fortescue medal. other students with edwards at west buckland school included victor ubogu and steve ojomoh. both are former bath and england rugby international players. edwards now has a sports hall at west buckland named after him; "the jonathan edwards sports centre". edwards then read physics at durham university, attending van mildert college.