Rote 8,
I believe that undertaking an ATPL course these days is considerably easier than it was a couple of years ago. The quality of feedback and the understanding of the syllabus now seems to be firmly grasped by the schools. Not sure your experiance compares with the relatively pointed and consise nature of the courses on offer now.
Well it was either that or the the beer and loose women
Fancy Nav,
Good luck!