No knowledge of training in the West Mids, but I can give my views on NPPL vs PPL.
If you want to fly with more than one pax, learn to fly at night or on instruments, or fly multi engine you might as well go fo the PPL know. If you just want to fly in decent weather with one other, go for the NPPL. I don't see what extra the PPL gives you and microlights are capable now and so much cheaper.