 Forrester-Paton was educated in Moffat, at Gresham's School, Holt, and New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree (BA, Honours) in 1940.He then trained for the ministry at the United Free Church's New College, Edinburgh, and at the University of London, graduating with a BD degree in 1943.Between 1943 and 1946 Forrester-Paton was secretary of the "Student Christian Movement" and became interested in missionary work.