Cryptic crossword No 2,728

863 - Skipping School - from 2025 Aug 21 - find it and many more at Ben's Cryptics ... http://ibendr.github.io/xwd/bendr/index.html

Very clever! Some great surfaces too - 13a , 24a,25a. The referential clues had me scratching my head for a bit - very neat. NHO of 20a and 16d but they were clearly and cleverly clued so very gettable. I had a lot of fun, thanks!

I also really liked it, with the title-sake 20a/22a obviously being COTD, a brilliant spot!

Thanks, BenDR, I loved that. There are some excellent surfaces in there and while I had quite a few NHOs I was able to get everything from your wordplay. Particularly liked 26a 29a 7d and the great topical 13a. Spoilers in reply...