Crossword Genius

Cool display from school head (15)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

standoffishness

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cool display from school head' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'cool display from school head' is the wordplay.
'cool' becomes 'standoffish' (I've seen this before).
'display from school head' becomes 'ness' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'standoffish'+'ness'='STANDOFFISHNESS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for standoffishness that I've seen before include "Remote nature" , "Detachment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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