Keren Abse is the eldest of Dannie and Joan Abse’s three children. She obtained an English and History degree from Sussex University and went on to teach English and Media studies in North London Comprehensives and then Sixth form Colleges for 37 years, becoming Head of City & Islington Sixth Form College from 2001-2005 when she retired from teaching ,dividing her time between London and Ogmore by Sea in South Wales.