Crossword Genius

Perhaps Spanish force maiden into a drama school (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

armada

'perhaps spanish force' is the definition.
(Spanish Armada)

'maiden into a drama school' is the wordplay.
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'into' indicates putting letters inside.
'drama school' becomes 'RADA' (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art).
'a'+'rada'='arada'
'm' placed inside 'arada' is 'ARMADA'.

(Other definitions for armada that I've seen before include "Many ships" , "Old Spanish fleet" , "Fleet Drake defeated" , "Spanish war fleet" , "A great fleet - Spain had one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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