Elizabeth Holtom graduated from London University with a Combined Honours Degree in French and German and then gained a postgraduate Certificate of Education from Cambridge University. She began her career teaching French to A level at James Allen's Girls' School in London, where she became joint Head of Sixth Form. After a career break to raise a young family, she resumed teaching French. When she discovered that one of her sons was dyslexic, she decided to study for the RSA Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, Frensham. From 1994 to 2012 she taught pupils with special needs at all levels. She has held the position of Learning Support Co-ordinator at Cranleigh Prep School and was their Study Skills Co-ordinator until 2012. She now works as a study skills consultant, offering workshops, lectures and Inset to prep schools.