I've not read the case, simply perused a few posts briefly. A few thoughts;
1) Although difficult to prove, it seems that the decision to axe ATCO's getting some flying training (15hours) could contribute to such incidents. An ATCO who had done some training must surely put him/her self in the student pilot's shoes in such situations.
2)Any student solo pilot should be capable of go-arounds and should not expect priority over passenger jet traffic catching them up.Granted the ATCO should allow plenty of space but, for example, an unusually wide turn onto base / final by an inexperienced student pilot may lead to the planned order having to change. Also some instructors seem to prefer the ATCO giving the pilot an orbit downwind whereas others seem to prefer a turn on to final and a possible go-around.
3)The scenario which led to the accident may be becoming more likely as the number of smaller regional airports where g/a used to roam freely is decreasing as low cost carriers multiply and join the mix.Perhaps under such circumstances more training is necessary before students are sent solo.It's certainly the case that some do say 9 or 10 hours in quiete traffic and then go solo just as a couple of 737's pitch up. Perhaps an ATCO with flying experience might be more reluctant to accept such a flight than one without?
4)Perhaps connected; the standard of r/t from g/a has slipped over the past twenty years.The number of times when pilots are not listening out in class d or do not read back mandatory instructions/information and the number of airspace infringements is much higher than used to be the case. I'm not trying to apportion any blame or reason why, simply stating a fact. Is it an indication of a gradual slip in the level of training overall? Just asking for opinions.
5)The ever more rigorous security 'regime' we all live under has already damaged links netween ATCO's and pilots (for example no fam flights as cockpit access restricted). Access to the control tower for instructors sending their students solo now requires 24 hour notice at zzzz because of 'security'. Perhaps this will put many instructors off thus breaking another link.This cannot help mutual understanding in a business where such understanding is vital.
Finally, my sympathies to everyone involved in the above incident and rather than slagging each other off perhaps pilots and ATCO's should get together and act to demand more cross training and lliason.