About Rachel Alleyne
- Degrees studied: BA and MFA in Fine Art
- UCL department: Slade School of Fine Art
- Graduation year: 1998
- Current profession: Artist, Children’s Book Author, Specialist Art Educator, and Qualified Art Teacher
UCL has offered me so many opportunities to grow as I never could if I stayed at home or simply attended an art college.
[My favourite memory of UCL is] simply all of it and it remains some of the best years of my life all these years later.
What inspired you to study at UCL?
It was considered to be one of the best research and art schools in the world.
What attracted you to study your degree?
The history of the Slade and my passion for art.
What did you enjoy most about studying in London?
UCL was the most incredible life changing place for me - its architecture, people and location near to London galleries.
What is your favourite memory of UCL?
Absolutely all of my time at the Slade School. The subsidiary anatomy lessons. Simply all of it and it remains some of the best years of my life all these years later.
What advice would you give to current or prospective students?
My advice would be to current and prospective students is make sure you sensibly enjoy every moment.
Do not let fear take away precious time. Before you realise, six years if not less has disappeared and you reflect fondly wishing you had more time to love and enjoy UCL.
What is your current profession?
Artist, children’s book author, specialist art educator, and a qualified art teacher.
Give a brief summary of your core duties and the skills you use.
I have acquired strong leadership qualities from previously leading art departments, both primary (private sector) and state secondary.
Skills include:
- Proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Office, including Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Dall-E and Leonardo AI. Lyro training for AI bots.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a natural perception towards staff and pupil needs.
- Exceptionally high degree of painting and drawing skills along with a large range of art subject knowledge.
- Deliver workshops for schools and individuals wishing to explore new and challenging skills.
- Can efficiently plan and organise enrichment and trips out of school with excellent Risk Assessment awareness due to experience of running many trips.
- Grading, assessing and marking art work in keeping with the National Curriculum. I developed a matrix for each pupil in art and design at my current school to enable a clear-cut and transparent form of assessment. This prevents grading subjectively.
Briefly describe your journey, from graduating to where you are now.
Initially, I was selling and exhibiting my art. Once at the Tate Gallery in a Slade group show as a student then I went on to sell and work in Barbados with the Dolbey Travel Scholarship Award, and then later the UCL Travel Award. I was very lucky to have won these as they propelled me to work and discover new opportunities in other countries such as Barbados where I had a group show.
Then I returned a little older and qualified as an art teacher working with members of the Royal Family via the private sector for the longest aspect of my career. I was Head of Art quite soon after qualifying.
How do you think UCL has helped you in your career to date?
UCL has offered me so many opportunities to grow as I never could if I stayed at home or simply attended an art college. Its wealth of professors, tutors, facilities, and grants made this possible.
Learn more about the UCL Slade School of Fine Art.
Published: 12 March 2026