Interruption of full-time educationE+W+S
4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), in determining whether a person falls within section 55(1)(b) of the Act no account shall be taken of a period (whether beginning before or after the person concerned attains age 16) of up to 6 months of any interruption to the extent to which it is accepted that the interruption is attributable to a cause which is reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case; and where the interruption or its continuance is attributable to the illness or disability of mind or body of the person concerned, the period of 6 months may be extended for such further period as the Secretary of State considers reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case.
(2) The provisions of sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply to any period of interruption of a person’s full-time education which is likely to be followed immediately or which is followed immediately by a period during which—
(a)provision is made for the training of that person, and for an allowance to be payable to that person, under work-based training for young people or, in Scotland, Skillseekers training; or
(b)he is receiving education by virtue of his employment or of any office held by him.