Jones attended local schools, including Dean Close School from September 1949 to July 1953, and Cheltenham Grammar School for Boys, which he entered in September 1953 after passing the eleven-plus exam. He enjoyed badminton and diving at school, and became first clarinet in the school orchestra. He reportedly obtained seven O-level passes in 1957, thence continuing into the sixth form and obtaining a further two O-levels. He also took three A-levels in physics, chemistry and biology, passing the first two and failing biology.