Yahoo Lifestyle Charli XCX was 'exceptional pupil' at school
A school has said it was "extremely proud" of former pupil Charli XCX after she won five Brit Awards.
The 32-year-old, who was born in Cambridge and lived near Stansted Airport in Essex, attended Bishop's Stortford College in neighbouring Hertfordshire.
During the ceremony Charli, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, was given three of the biggest prizes at the industry ceremony including best artist and best album.
College headmaster, John Maguire, described her as an "exceptional pupil".
Bishop's Stortford College is a private school for boarding and day pupils aged 3-18.
Charli attended between 1999 and 2010 and was part of Benson House.
Mr Maguire recalled: "She was talented, determined, and independent, and worked hard at everything - academic, sports, and particularly the arts.
"On the hockey pitch, Charli was a force to be reckoned with and regularly played as part of the 1st XI team."
At the Brits, the singer also picked up trophies for Best British Dance Act, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for Guess, her collaboration with Billie Eilish.
In February, XCX won her first Grammy awards for her album Brat and for the track Von Dutch.
The headmaster said: "From the start of her GCSE music, she showed great skill as a composer and through her music, communicated the same infectious love of life that she brought to everything she did at school."
The singer signed to Asylum Records, part of Warner Music Group, in 2010, which was the same year she performed at her school's annual Stars in their Eyes competition.
The school said her success highlighted the importance of the arts being taught at schools.
Mr Maguire said: "Her success demonstrates the importance of music in schools - she is not the College's only alumni to have a recording contract.
"Coincidentally, the 2025 Stars in their Eyes concerts take place at Bishop's Stortford College this week, where the next Charli XCX may be discovered."
'I booked Charli XCX when she was 14'
Others from the Hertfordshire town have also celebrated Charli's Brits success.
Arts venue South Mill Arts, which was formerly called the Rhodes Centre, recalled she played at the venue in 2010.
"Charlie XCX's journey is truly inspiring, showcasing just how far hard work and talent can go," a spokesperson said.
"It's amazing to think she performed at local events like Rhodes Rocks 15 years ago, and now she's taking home multiple Brit Awards."
Live music producer Simon Baker added: "I booked her to play at South Mill Arts and the Stortford Music Festival, having seen her perform to a tape in her living room at her parents' house when she was 14 years old!
"She was always going to be a star, but no-one could have predicted how big a star she's become!"
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