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Jonathan Long

jonathan long

Associate Director

Jonathan Long grew up in West, Central and Southern Africa.  Following degrees in theology, ethics and education from universities in South Africa and the UK, he was ordained in the Church of England and was for several years involved in youth and pastoral work in South Africa and as a university lecturer in theology and moral philosophy.

As chaplain and teacher at a school in Oxford he became involved in the development of approaches to personal, social and values education at a national level in independent schools.  In 1995, as holder of an Economic and Social Research Council award, he was attached to the Oxford University Department of Educational Studies to undertake research into the moral and spiritual development of children. 

Jonathan moved to Switzerland in 1998 to work at Aiglon College, a highly diverse and innovative international school of over 60 nationalities and 30 languages whose unique educational philosophy is based on holistic principles of education through academic study and outdoor education.  He was appointed College Principal soon after his arrival.  His focus was to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds – including cultural, religious, national and socio-economic – to live and learn together in a unique and personally challenging community.

In 2002, Jonathan was appointed European Director of the Round Square Organization – an association of over 50 schools around the world which share a commitment to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure and international understanding.

Jonathan is especially interested in the challenges facing schools in the 21st century and in the development of relevant and meaningful approaches to learning in modern societies.  Releasing the potential in all young people requires new and radical approaches to education – approaches which he is convinced Columba 1400 has the ability to pioneer and promote in a powerful and compelling way.