Open local with student in charge (6)
I believe the answer is:
public
'open' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'local with student in charge' is the wordplay.
'local' becomes 'pub' (I've seen this before).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'pub'+'l'+'ic'='PUBLIC'
(Other definitions for public that I've seen before include "Relating to the general community" , "State-owned; in the open" , "Openly done" , "Open, known, generally" , "Overt" .)