Geoffrey Dugdale Kirwan, son of the High School's Headmaster, George Richard Kirwan, and his wife, Elizabeth Josephine Kirwan, joined the school at the age of 7, having previous been taught at home.

His academic achievements led him to being offered scholarships at both Uppingham and Repton schools. He took the offer at Repton, and attended from Sep-1911. He was later awarded a scholarship to Rugby school.

He entered the war with the Royal Garrison Artillery as 2nd Lieutenant, serving in France, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1917. He was awarded both the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre.

On 16-Apr-1918 he transferred to the RGA Special Reserves, and was promoted to temporary Captain, which was formally confirmed on 1-Apr-1920 when he relinquished his commission.

After the war he attended University College, Oxford and went on to a career with the government. He was Assistant Secretary to the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure in 1928, and worked in the Ministry of Home Security from 1939 to 1945.

He continued to work in government offices as Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign Office, and later as Comptroller General with the National Debt Office.

He was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath, and in 1954, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

He retired from public service 30-Nov-1961 and became Vice-President of the Trustees Savings Bank.

He was the instigator of the Kirwan Prize at the High School, which continued into the 1960s.

Geoffrey died on 11-Nov-1970 in Bridge, in Kent.