My child is in education but will have to perform his military/alternative civilian service during this time. Is he still considered to be in education?

Yes, provided that the interruption is no longer than five months and that your child immediately returns to education after he has completed his service. The following interruptions are permissible:

• basic military training (18-21 weeks) provided that it falls during a period when he does not have to attend classes (e.g. between the end of high school and the start of further education), or
• periods of military service performed during the semester breaks (i.e. basic military training spread over 18-21 non-consecutive weeks).

 However, if your child is on military service for a protracted period (e.g. he opts to honour his lifetime military service obligations in a single block period, or is in practical service with a view to obtaining a given rank), he is no longer considered as being in education.