Cryptic crossword clue
Punishments by educators and teachers is niggling grammar schools’ principals 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BEATINGS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
B
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The cryptic/wordplay part
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This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
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What does BEATINGS mean?

BEATINGS noun
  1. The action by which someone or something is beaten.
  2. A heavy defeat or setback.
  3. The pulsation of the heart.

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