Not familiar with the UK GA scene but the only advice I would give is do not pay cash up front, pay as you go. The GA scene here has a fair share of those who are failed used car salesmen, one school was still cashing the cheques on the day they folded of students who had paid up front for courses, $14,000 for a muti instrument rating for example. Lot of money for a youngster who earned the cash stacking shelves at a supermarket. A couple of local kids flew home for Xmas in one of the schools aircraft and thinking that the school was in some difficulties I contacted the local aero club where they refueled promising them that I would pay the fuel bill if the school did go bust and the bill was unpaid. It came to pass, paid the aero club and deducted the amount from that owed by the youngster when the administrators demand turned up. Trading while insolvent, a no no.