Helen Keen – MGGS Art Teacher

Many students and parents will already be familiar with the Artwork of Helen Keen who worked at MGGS during the time of the Second World War. Her Art work at the time gives a contemporary record of our school and life at that time. The book ‘A Schoolgirl’s War’ by Mary Smith, which has sold over 9,000 copies  has brought many of her paintings to a much wider audience. 

We were delighted and honoured to be visited by David Keen, nephew of Helen Keen, and his wife Janet, this week. They have very kindly donated further art work which we were unaware of by Helen Keen, both from her own private collection and further detailed artwork of the school. In particular, paintings of the old school in Albion Place prior to moving to the current Buckland Road site. The paintings record the planning and preparation of the move to the current site as well as contemporary works of the opening of the school in 1938.

We are very grateful to the Keen family for making this generous gift to the school, which is a very valued addition to the school archive.

Miss Stanley, Headteacher