| ABNORMALITY | Deviation in marks secured by a brainy lot recollected |
| TONYBLAIR | Labour PM represented brainy lot! (4,5) |
| CAMPUS | Top marks secured by us in academic environment (6) |
| ACME | Top marks secured by expert |
| CHAMP | Marks secured by fellow who's the best performer? |
| SCHOOLMATE | Third best exam mark secured by horribly loathsome kid in your class? |
| HASP | A metal fastening consisting of a hinged strap with a slot that fits over a staple and is secured by a pin, bolt or padlock (4) |
| HASPS | Metal fastenings consisting of a hinged strap with a slot that fits over a staple, secured by a pin, bolt or padlock (5) |
| TASSEL | Word for a clasp or fibula first, now a pendant ornament consisting of a tuft of threads secured by a knob/knot (6) |
| DETOUR | A deviation in a roundabout way |
| ATALOWEBB | Wobble at a deviation in a weakened state (2,1,3,3) |
| HARIM | Henry starts to amble round in Marks for a pound of sultanas? |
| SQUADCARS | Pandas in courtyard covered in marks (5,4) |
| BUNGEEJUMP | A leap from a high point while secured by a band around the ankles (6,4) |
| ANTAGONISE | A new label is secured by a single needle |
| CATEGORY | Moderate grade, say, secured by a politician in class |
| BIGBERTHA | WW1 gun in comfortable position secured by a wedge from below (3,6) |
| NERVE | One of a brainy 26 making adjustments to a van recliner (7,5) |
| CRANIAL | One of a brainy 26 making adjustments to a van recliner (7,5) |
| GEEK | Overindulge in a brainy subject, with "out" |
