Still struggling! Presumably 12a is "seminary" so what is 8 down s-o-r (5) Second and third rate 24 (It would help of course if I had got 24d of which the clue is "Path's end about right" (5) ). Presumably 16a is "itch"?
Thanks again Lie-in-King. Obviously 23a is autumn though I don't know why. This just leaves me with 27a "Alliance reflected in 6 across,primarily" (6) The answer to 6a is greasy