"I wonder whether a lot of training organisations, such as BAFC at Wycombe where I learned, have a system where the NOTAMs for the local / training area are pinned on the briefing board, along with hard-copy of the weather etc?"
Exactly so. I think this is almost the universal way things are done.
.. .. .. and of course once you have your PPL, they are not really interested in you any more. (with some very good exceptions of course).
The other factor I suspect is some pilots simply get lazy. You know the thing. I think I will go fo a little potter round the local patch. I know it well enough. There arent usually any NOTAMS to worry about and I cant be bothered to check.
Ooops what was that red streak!