The boss sent around pupils (8)
I believe the answer is:
students
'pupils' is the definition.
(I know this)
'the boss sent around' is the wordplay.
'the boss' becomes 'stud' (both can mean a metal decoration).
'around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'sent' is an anagram of 'ents'.
'stud'+'ents'='STUDENTS'
(Other definitions for students that I've seen before include "Sent dust to those who learn" , "Learners or scholars" , "Learners as at school" , "Pupils or apprentices" , "Eg, undergraduates" .)