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36.3.4 Full-time education

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In deciding whether a young person is 'receiving full-time education' (for the purposes of the definition of 'prescribed child' in S4(1) of the SRCA), attention should be directed more to the nature of the activity undertaken by the student, rather than the formal status of the course in which they are enrolled.

If a student is recognised as a full-time student by the educational institution which they attend, this can usually be accepted as conclusive of the issue.

However, where the student's enrolment status is part-time, inquiries should be made about the actual work load undertaken by the student. If the total workload (including classes, direct tuition, and private study) exceeds 30 hours per week, it would generally be reasonable to determine that the student is 'receiving full-time education'.

It is quite consistent for a student who is receiving full-time education to engage also in part-time work. Where, however, the student is in full-time paid employment, it is unlikely, in most cases, that they could also be 'receiving full-time education'.