The CAA gentleman concerned, a personal friend, confirmed that it was the case that club checks and school checkout rides would not be counted towards the PIC requirement for the issue of a licence or rating.
I am only going on what was said earlier, if the CAA doesn't count 'check out' time then it isn't
real PIC time is it.
The purpose of the flight is to ensure that the person is safe to command for club 'insurance' purposes not to give any instruction.
But if under insurance requirements he needs to be in currency then he can't be PIC, you have to be. Otherwise he would be flying without insurance which is illegal.