New music, science and history block opens at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls

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An exterior view of a modern brick building with large dark-framed windows and rows of solar panels covering the roof. Text on the wall reads ‘The Helen Keen Building.’ The image is taken from an elevated angle.

The new Helen Keen building at MGGS. Credit: Baxall Construction

A new building with state-of-the-art science labs and music suites has opened at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS).

Kent County Council (KCC) has invested more than £7 million in the new block to support the school’s expansion, enabling it to increase its Year 7 intake from 180 to 210 pupils.

It has been named the Helen Keen building after a dedicated art teacher who worked at the school from 1935 to 1952.

A group of people stand in a hallway watching a ribbon‑cutting ceremony in front of a pair of wooden double doors. One person cuts a large red ribbon that is tied in a bow across the doors, while others stand nearby observing. The hallway has blue flooring, cream walls, and a clock above the doors.

Lady Colgrain cut the ribbon at an official opening ceremony. Picture: MGGS

During the darkest days of the Second World War, Helen used her artistic talent to provide a unique and enduring record of school life. While students and staff sought refuge in the underground shelters during air raids, Helen produced a series of evocative sketches and paintings capturing the resilience and spirit of the MGGS community under fire.

By naming this building after her, the school in Buckland Road hopes her story will remain a living part of its history.

Baxall Construction carried out the design and construction of the building and Lady Colgrain, Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, welcomed visitors and cut the ribbon at an official opening ceremony last month.

The school welcomed Helen Keen’s family to the ceremony, including her nephew, David Keen, and her great-niece, Sarah Keen.

An empty science classroom with long white laboratory tables, blue stools, and equipment benches along the walls. The room includes a large digital screen, a whiteboard, storage cabinets, and several lab coats hanging on hooks. Overhead lights illuminate the space.

The new building has state-of-the-art new science labs. Picture: Baxall Construction

At the ceremony, Head Teacher Deborah Stanley said: "Today is a day of immense pride for MGGS. By opening the Helen Keen Building alongside our Visitor Centre, we are bridging our past with our future.

"We are honoured to have The Lady Colgrain, the family of Helen Keen, and our many partners join us to mark this special occasion."

The three-storey block features high-specification science labs, sound-insulated music suites, and modern classrooms which will be the new home of the History, Science, and Music departments.

It also features a visitor centre providing easier access to the World War II tunnels situated below the reception area, supporting both educational enrichment and preservation of the school’s wartime history.

Beverley Fordham is smiling for his headshot photo in front of the county hall steps

“These fantastic new facilities will give students at MGGS even more opportunities to explore science, music, and history in inspiring spaces.”

Beverley Fordham Cabinet Member for Education and Skill

Beverley Fordham, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “We are pleased to have supported the development of the Helen Keen Building. These fantastic new facilities will give students at MGGS even more opportunities to explore science, music, and history in inspiring spaces. It’s also really special to see Helen Keen’s legacy honoured in this way. This building brings that history to life while helping prepare young people for the future.”

Alan Leigh, Contracts Director for Baxall Construction, said: “The success of delivering this fantastic teaching facility and visitor centre for Maidstone Girls Grammar School was through teamwork and collaboration. The design found solutions that needed to overcome the bespoke challenges, these included building over the schools WW2 tunnel and next to the local train lines. Baxall and the delivery team are extremely proud of the Helen Keen Building and would like to thank KCC for the opportunity and wish the school and the pupils all the best for the future.”