I've been told that somewhere around £5000 is about right, particularyly allowing for the Scottish weather disrupting training. I'm also concerned about paying up front. I've just had a look on the internet for other flying schools in central scotland and have found that I could pay £100 per hour (including instructor) elsewhere rather than coughing up for it all in one go. £8 per landing at Prestwick doesn't seem too bad and there instructors seem to have heaps of experience (airlines, RAF etc).
The flight acadamy has started looking less attractive.