Taking the student out of the circuit for one detail can sometimes be a welcome brake for "bloggs" I feel, particularly if they have been struggling with some aspect of the circuit/landing.
PFL's I think are a nice way of leading into the glide approach/EFATO. It will not be so much of a struggle for the student to get the aircraft quickly and accurately into the glide having previously done 4 or 5 PFL's away from the airfield.
Do any of your schools/clubs have a "pre first solo" checklist that student and instructor must sign before he/she undertakes their first solo?