The whole "PPL training culture" is to fly below 2000ft. I did all of my PPL training at 1500-2000ft and most PPLs rarely go above that.
Morning IO540,
That isn't the case for us. We routinely operate to & fro the training area (Aylesbury from Denham) at 2300, which is 200' below the TMA. This is the MSA for a part of the navigation routes we use & gets the student used to operating at this level. As soon as we get to Prestwood we climb to 3000' if the cloud allows for most of the early exercises, allowing climbing & descending, stalling etc. If the cloud is is <2000' then we confine ourselves to the circuit or cancel the detail, depending upon where the student has got to. I find it very hard to adquately teach climbing & descending, for example with much less than 2500', say 2000' AGL. Effects of controls & turning admittedly can be done at lower levels.
We teach students how to use the transponder along with the radio at an early stage and I use Farnborough LARS for the transit and when at the training area explain that we'll be operating various headings & levels. I call them again on the way back but emphasise to students that this doesn't replace the need to maintain a good lookout. I find covering up the instruments improves this latter!
TheOddOne