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Tunnels, Tracks & Technology
The Story of the Helen Keen Building
at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
TUESDAY 10th November 2026, 1800 for an 1830 start
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The Institution of Structural Engineers,
47-58 Bastwick Street, London EC1V 3PS
The nearest tube stations = Barbican [8 mins walk] and Old Street [10 mins walk]
We are delighted to welcome Alan Leigh, Ian Spink and Jenine SaAndrade, to introduce us to the design and construction of a new teaching facility at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS). Whilst any construction project has its 'issues', this project was awarded 'Building Project of the Year, at the Constructing Excellence Awards 2026, not only for the excellence of the building, but for the manner in which the project team engaged with their client, community and the challenging context.
The £9m Helen Keen Building for Maidstone Grammar School for Girls was constructed on behalf of Kent County Council. The 2,104m², three-storey facility provides teaching spaces, science laboratories, music classrooms, and a visitor centre for access to the site's WWII tunnels, located beneath the building. Despite significant challenges, including construction above historic tunnels, proximity to an active railway line, constrained access alongside two live schools and working within an operational campus, with engineering excellence and innovation this future-proofed learning facility was delivered safely and five weeks ahead of schedule.
Our Speakers
ALAN LEIGH, FCIOB, MCABE, CEnv
Contracts Director & Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing - Baxall Construction
Alan has over 40 years' experience across education, heritage, civil engineering and rail, and provides strategic leadership on Baxall's most complex projects. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the CIOB, and is a strong advocate for sustainable construction, collaborative working and industry best practice.
IAN SPINK, MCIOB, BSc (Hons)
Contracts Manager - Baxall Construction
Ian has over 20 years’ construction experience and is adept in delivering complex projects in live operational environments. His expertise spans programme management, logistics planning and stakeholder engagement, ensuring efficient delivery with minimal disruption to staff, students and local communities.
JENINE SA ANDRADE, MCIOB, BSc (Hons)
Senior Design Manager - Baxall Construction
Jenine has over 20 years' experience leading design development on the most complex projects in the private and public sectors. She has a background in Architectural Technology and Spatial Design, and specialises in translating complex project requirements into buildable solutions, championing innovation, sustainability and quality.
LinkedIn: @baxall-construction-ltd
Web: baxallconstruction.co.uk
Instagram: @baxallc
References
Catch background information at:
Kent CC News
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-music,-science-and-history-block-opens-at-maidstone-grammar-school-for-girls
Baxall Construction Projects
https://www.baxallconstruction.co.uk/project/maidstone-girls-grammar-school-live-project/
Constructing Excellence London and South East Awards 2026
https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/constructing-excellence-london-south-east-awards-2026/
Social Media
Please post about the event using:
#lcecMGGC #lcecAWARDS #CELSEAwards2026 #ConstructingExcellence
LI: @london-constructing-excellence-club
X/T: @LondonConExClub
IG: @londonconstructingexcellence
BS: @londonceclub.bsky.social
LCEC members and non-members are all welcome
