Crossword Genius

Perhaps boy making jokes in school will get cane (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

switch

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

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

'perhaps boy making jokes in school' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'boy' could be 'itch' and 'itch' is found in the answer.
'school' could be 's' and 's' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'w' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'will get' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for switch that I've seen before include "Change; flexible shoot" , "It may be thrown" , "Light whip - light control" , "Change; false hair" , "Change over - whip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app