The Phoenix Rises
What you describe is pretty normal and I've experienced much worse myself. The standard of instruction is even more variable than the standard of the aircraft.
It is also true that PPL-level navigation (reading ground features) is not actually much good for real getting about the UK. VOR/DME is necessary, and in practice most people use that with a GPS as primary nav.
But then you've got to remember that the school's interest is in getting money off you. The longer it takes you the better (I am not suggesting that instructors are deliberately stretching your hours to make more money although I have known a very obvious case of this with an instructor and some very gullible students, which half my airfield was aware of too) and once you get your PPL they really have no interest in you whatever, except possibly to take more money for a night or IMCR.
Unfortunately, the PPL training world is geared up for the great majority of people - who drop out of flying very quickly after they get their PPL.
Get your PPL, get your IMCR, get your own plane, perhaps later get an FAA PPL/IR and put the plane on the N register, and don't look back (I guarantee you won't)
