I dont think that any instructor at CATC would be so unprofessional to fail a student due to what they ahve said on PPRune. And anyway is this not a annonymous forum??
On the subject of background knowlegde before you join the industry, at the interview stage you are told that being a spotter is not a requirement of the job. However when you are at CATC you are expected to build up your general knowledge of aviation.
But I do ask all the valid controllers who slate new trainees for not having the enthusiasm or background knowledge that they think is needed:
1- Did you have the same level of both when you went to your first posting?
2- And also would you not be one of a group who would laugh at a new trainee who claims to be a spotter?
And finally (i know i have went on a bit) what granny smith said "C'mon this is ATC - if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined" is so true. Maybe we all need to remind ourselves about that!