The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word HAKE
H
A
K
E
More clues leading to the result HAKE
- Fish from rock son dropped
- Fish found in rock, missing head
- Topless Wag – a tasty catch for someone
- Fish heading away from wave
- Fish quiver with head cut off
- Wave misses small swimmer
- Frame for drying cheese or fish
- Fish convulse when decapitated
- Individuals in school tremble after Head’s expulsion
- Fish convulse when beheaded
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Individuals in school" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case individuals in school = hake.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HAKE mean?
HAKE noun- A hook; a pot-hook.
- A kind of weapon; a pike.
- (in the plural) The draught-irons of a plough.
- One of several species of marine gadoid fishes, of the genera Phycis, Merluccius, and allies.
- A drying shed, as for unburned tile.
- To loiter; to sneak.