The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SCIENCES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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More clues leading to the result SCIENCES
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "things to learn in school" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case things to learn in school = sciences.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 SCIENCES mean?
SCIENCES noun- A particular discipline or branch of learning, especially one dealing with measurable or systematic principles rather than intuition or natural ability.
- Specifically the natural sciences.
- Knowledge gained through study or practice; mastery of a particular discipline or area.
- The fact of knowing something; knowledge or understanding of a truth.
- The collective discipline of study or learning acquired through the scientific method; the sum of knowledge gained from such methods and discipline.
- Knowledge derived from scientific disciplines, scientific method, or any systematic effort.
- (collective) The scientific community.
- To cause to become versed in science; to make skilled; to instruct.
- To use science to solve a problem.
- All the fields of science, collectively.
- The sport of boxing.