I am with Send Clowns on the above statement.
I was a student at PAT 2003 / 2004. I was lucky enough to be twinned with someone else through my IR giving me the oppertunity to sit in the back and watch what went on. The advantages were double exposure to the IR flying environment and learning by someone elses mistakes. Perhaps without this I may not have been as prepared for the IRT. Who knows......
I can only speak for myself, but for me training with someone else was key to my progress through the course.
Do most schools try and promote this? I am sure they do!
If you have just finished your ATPL's and starting the CPL /IR, my "limited" advice would be to try and pair up with someone. It can only be a positive move!