Crossword Genius

Students acted badly at school (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cadets

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

'students' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'acted badly at school' is the wordplay.
'badly' is an anagram indicator (letters in the wrong order).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'school' becomes 'S'.
'acted' is an anagram of 'cadet'.
'cadet'+'s'='CADETS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cadets that I've seen before include "Officers potentially" , "Trainee army officers" , "Pupils" , "Army officer trainees" , "Casted as young army men" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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