Shayan Moftizadeh.

A Tottenham student who graduated with a first class degree from King’s College, Cambridge has credited her hometown for providing “life skills you wouldn’t get everywhere else”.

Shayan Moftizadeh, 21, of Plevna Crescent, South Tottenham, graduated last week after a three-year social and political sciences degree.

Reflecting on her school years at Park View Academy and growing up in Tottenham, Shayan told the Journal: “I have nothing but good words to say about Park View, I had some of the best teachers I’ve ever had there.

“It makes me proud to live in one of the UK’s most multi-cultural areas - it equips you with life skills you wouldn’t get everywhere else.”

Having completed her bachelor’s degree, Shayan will stay at Cambridge to study a master’s degree in gender studies.

She hopes to have an academic career and has aspirations to work for the United Nations or a think-tank.

Asked about the challenges faced by young people in Tottenham who want to break into elite institutions such as Cambridge University, she said: “If you want to do it, you can and there’s nothing stopping you.

“Once you do well coming from somewhere like Tottenham that works to your benefit because it shows that you’ve worked a lot harder than most people. There are a lot of people who have it handed to them on a plate.”

Youth worker Seema Chandwani described Tottenham’s young people as “an amazing asset”, insisting: “We need to ensure, as a whole community, we take responsibility for celebrating and encouraging their achievements.”

Tottenham MP David Lammy praised all of Tottenham’s university graduates this year, describing them as “role models”, adding: “They show that an N17 postcode doesn’t stop you reaching the highest levels.”

Andreas Koumi, manager of youth media charity Exposure, said: “Young people in Tottenham and the whole of Haringey have enormous potential - if only they were given the right opportunities, guidance and confidence to realise it.”