I know what you mean, about understanding things in weird ways...
I talked to OAT about this ages ago, i got no sympathy, but what did i expect. They didnt really care, they look upon you all the same from the start, its the stupid things you do whilst with them that makes you look bad in their eyes, the guy was telling me some shocking storys about some cadets, i think this brings home the reasons so many FTO's like the little more mature students...
CTC, i am not so sure about, i dont think it would be any different, i missed CTC due to my education, i did an AVCE and not A'Levels and they didnt like the AVCE...
I see you live in Brum too, B'ham education whatever people didnt wanna know me, untill i complained so hard they recognised my Dyslexia, and they took them untill just a few weeks ago to say, "yes, you can have a little extra support" That should help me with my Degree, 10 mins more in a three hour exam...
I think in the aviation world you are judged on your aviation abilities...