Sheila Marlin is a state and Montessori trained teacher. She spent ten years working with reception
and
year 1 pupils in state schools and then went on to open 14 Montessori
pre-schools of her own. In 1991 she opened a Montessori primary school later moving the school to 'High Elms Manor,'
which was featured on 'Country House Rescue' on BBC 4. In 2012 she was winner of the award for the most enterprising small business in East England. She lives in Hertfordshire, close to her seven grandchildren.
Her sister Lis Paice is a medical doctor with a special interest in medical education. She was named NHS Mentor of the Year in 2010 and was awarded the OBE for services to medicine in 2011. She lives in London where she works as a coach and mentor for other doctors and regularly looks after her six grandchildren.