After 28 years of inspiring linguists, Jon Strong has retired from Dame Allan’s Schools this summer.

While he has stepped away from the classroom, he is stepping directly onto the start line of a remarkable personal challenge that has run alongside his teaching career for over a decade – completing his A–Z of marathons.

Since 2014, Jon has completed 25 marathons across Europe, most in sub-3:30 times, with a personal best of 2:58. His journey has taken him from major city marathons in Venice and Rotterdam to smaller, more unusual events, including the X-ray Marathon in Germany and the Quijote Marathon in Spain.

But one letter has remained out of reach: “J” for Jersey. Because the race takes place during term time — and because, as a dedicated environmentalist, Jon avoids flying — the Channel Island event has been impossible to fit around the school calendar.

“I’ve known about the Jersey Marathon for ages, but because of the ferry schedules, there was no way to get there and back for Monday morning school,” he smiles. “Retirement finally gives me my big chance to cross the finish line on October 4!”

Jon’s path into teaching began with a love of languages rather than a fixed career plan.

He studied French and Spanish at Cambridge University, where he spent five years, including his PGCE year. Alongside his studies, he gained early experience teaching English as a foreign language on summer programmes, working with international students from across Europe.

“I quickly realised I loved the classroom atmosphere and working with young people,” he says.

His early career took him to the historic settings of Harrow School and Westminster School in London. However, as their roots were in the North East — Jon’s in County Durham and his wife Ellie’s in Newcastle — the pull of home was strong. In 1998, he joined Dame Allan’s.

Initially appointed to teach French and German, Jon spearheaded a major shift in 2002 by introducing Spanish to the curriculum for everyone. He later became Head of Modern Languages, successfully building a thriving department even as language uptake faced a sharp national decline. Today, numbers remain strong, with 11 pupils currently studying Spanish in Year 12.

For Jon, a highlight of his three decades at the school was the opportunity to teach his own children, Maria and Alex.

“Teaching Maria for Spanish GCSE and Alex for French A Level was a massive personal highlight,” he reflects. “Not many parents get to see their teenagers beyond the school gates. They found my sense of dress and my jokes a bit embarrassing, but they were happy to let me teach them.”

Beyond the classroom, Jon’s 28 years have been filled with memorable moments — from early Spanish school trips involving stressful passport mishaps and unscheduled visits to A&E, to the historic visit of the late Queen.

“I particularly remember the police snipers on the pavilion roof and the pre-visit inspection where they were lifting up the manhole covers,” he recalls.

Jon is well known among staff and pupils for his regular training sessions on the school playing fields.

“I must have done thousands and thousands of laps of the school field over the years,” he says. “Eight laps make up 5k, so it’s been my main training ground around my teaching schedule.”

Reflecting on his time at the school, Jon hopes his legacy is simple.

“They certainly won’t remember me for my dress sense, and they won’t remember me being scary, as discipline is not my strong point,” he laughs. “I just hope they think my lessons were fun and that they learnt something. For me, that would be the perfect epitaph.”

Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, Will Scott, paid tribute to Jon’s long service and contribution to school life.

“Jon has been part of the fabric of Dame Allan’s for nearly 30 years. He has helped shape the modern languages offer, brought real energy to his teaching and inspired generations of pupils to engage with languages in a way that is lively, relevant and enjoyable,” he said.

“He is as well known for his brilliant classroom teaching as he is for those countless twilight laps of the school field. We are hugely grateful for his dedication, and the entire Allanian community wishes him the very best of luck as he completes his final milestone in Jersey.”

Jon’s A–Z marathon journey