Oh dear, how many times does this have to be said? Stephen, we all sympathise with your difficulties but the primary advice to everyone has to be DO NOT GIVE MONEY UP FRONT TO FLYING SCHOOLS. Flying training is an extremely marginal business and is currently subject to uncontrollable cost increases. Training organisations are highly likely to want to hang on to your money so unless you are prepared to stick it out with your chosen school through thick and thin and make the most of it, don't trust them with your hard-earned cash, just put it in a bank and pay as you go.
NS