Pixie was born in Bromley. She lived in Petts Wood and then Bickley. All three are suburban areas of south-east London. Her mother gave her the nickname "Pixie" because she was born "such a tiny, cute baby who looked like a fairy". She started singing in her church school and when she was five, she went to the Italia Conti Associates Saturday school in Chislehurst. She later went to the main school – Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts – at 11. While there, she got a scholarship. At the age of 13, Lott moved with her family to Brentwood. During her time as a student she was in the West End production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at the London Palladium, and in BBC One's "Celebrate the Sound of Music" in 2005, aged 14, as Louisa von Trapp. At the age of 14, she was part of the chorus on Roger Waters's opera "Ça Ira". Lott did not go to school much during this time because she was making her album but says she got straight 'A' grades in her GCSEs.