Crossword Genius

Perform sad song around school area (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

discharge

'perform' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sad song around school area' is the wordplay.
'sad song' becomes 'dirge' (I've seen this before).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'school' becomes 'sch'.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'sch'+'a'='scha'
'dirge' going around 'scha' is 'DISCHARGE'.

(Other definitions for discharge that I've seen before include "Sack or fire weapon" , "empty" , "Let off - set free" , "unload" , "meet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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