I wouldnt worry so much about handing over the cash up front. When clive hughes referred to not doing so, he meant 50K for a Jaa Cpl/IR, not a PPL, I doubt you'd get to 'spread' the cost for a course thats only gonna last 4 weeks.
Anyway, surely you dont expect the flying school to let you start a PPL course without being paid for it first? thats like me driving off a forecourt in a brand new car and saying to the dealer " Hi, Ill pay you when i can" The dealer wont let you go anywhere unless he knows the cheque has cleared or he's gettting paid off the finance company in full the next day! same for all businesses and flight schools are no different!
You should count yourself lucky that SOME flying schools such as Bournemouth will even let you spread the cost in the first place, cause the Dont have to!
The best thing to do is research the best school, one theat has been esatablished for years, and then you know your money is safe!
PS. Those who have lost 20K etc with a flying school-serves you right for choosing a crap school and not doing your homework.
There are schools you could give £1million to up front and you know your moneys safe!!
bonjour