An Oxford and Harvard University graduate who had part of her tuition paid for by rapper Stormzy was guest of honour at her former school’s Christmas celebration evening.

Fiona Asiedu gave a talk and handed out certificates for academic progress and attainment at La Retraite RC Girls School’s annual Christmas Celebration, held at St Bede’s Church, Clapham Park on Tuesday (December 18).

Fiona, 23, from Tulse Hill, hit the headlines when the MC from Croydon donated £9000 to her crowdfunding page so she could study at the world famous US university.

Stormzy helped to cover the cost of her Masters programme in Human Development and Psychology.

Fiona, who graduated from Harvard in August and now works for accountancy giant Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), said: “It all started for me at La Retraite. The confidence and belief the teachers at this school gave me was the foundation on which the success I have had was built on.

“Obviously, my story had a lot of publicity but all of my friends from this school are the same, they are all doing really well. That is because from a very young age they were taught that they should have no barriers to what they want to achieve.

“It is very important to me to contribute to my community. Coming back to my old school, talking to these girls, I hope they can see a positive path.

The celebration evening also included Christmas carols and readings and concert music performed by students.

Headteacher Dominic Malins said: “We talk a lot to our students about having high aspirations and expectations for their future. Having someone like Fiona who despite her age has already had great success shows our students with the right attitude and hard work there is nothing they cannot achieve.

“Our longstanding tradition of academic excellence rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church makes the beautiful St Bede’s Church the perfect venue for this celebration.”