Strewth,
All the chat about Chippies at Roborough brings back the memories....if stude 101 is still having a gander at the replies, then I can recommend everything said so far. Grading is yet another filter of the training system, and looks to assess your ability to learn - ie your memory for checks, copying what an instructor shows you, and then 'playing it back' during later flights.
I went through Roborough in Jan/Feb 1990, and had Mr Coward as my primary, with the odd trip with Messers Summerfield and Sheppard (he of smashed Hawk nose fame). FHT was with Jack Frost
Solo's were not a requirement, studes who flew solo usually had prior hours or were guns, but they were dependant on aircraft availability.
Definately get with a stick buddy and learn the checks....the less you have to actively remember in the cockpit, makes learning new stuff with the beefer a great deal easier.
Anyone who's flown the chippy can tell you what My Friend Flicka Has Hairy Balls means.....