Crossword Genius

Colleague to level with head teacher, no hesitation (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

partner

'colleague' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'level with head teacher no hesitation' is the wordplay.
'level' becomes 'par' (average level on a golf course).
'with head' suggests taking the first letters (I've seen 'with head of' mean this).
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
The first letters of 'teacher no' is 'tn'.
'par'+'tn'+'er'='PARTNER'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for partner that I've seen before include "Dancing companion" , "Significant other" , "Comrade" , "Professional colleague" , "Consort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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