A VICTORIAN headmaster of Plymouth Public School is the focus of discussion at the next meeting of the Okehampton branch of the Devonshire Association.

Charles Westlake will give a talk on his great-great grandfather George Jago, who was headmaster at the school from 1843 to 1886.

Born in Liskeard in 1806, Jago was the son of a builder and carpenter.

At the age of 15 he assisted his schoolmaster in instructing the younger students, already showing his aptitude for teaching.

During his time at the Plymouth Public School the number of pupils attending increased from 200 to around 1,000 by the time of his retirement.

It was reckoned he saw 17,000 children through the school during his time as headteacher.

He and his wife had three children including his son Charles, who eventually took over the running of the school. Jago died aged 89, and was buried in Plymouth Cemetery in 1894.

The talk takes place in the Ockment Centre on Thursday, February 21 from 3.30pm. For more details call chairman Charles Westlake on 07957 274894.