Sorry, disagree with you entirely, based on my experience as a Chief Pilot and currently Head of Training.
What about the significant number of North Sea IR students have recently gone through a school not a million miles from Wycombe?
"The training environment is closely monitored at all times, with regular progress reporting to chart how the student is doing throughout the course"
Every school has to do that.
"The groundschool is thorough, often provided by lecturers with years worth of personal experience."
I would put my notes and instructors up against any school's any day of the week. It is down to the student to do the work, and as I said above, some learn best in the classroom, some don't. My first two students (one ATPLH and one CPLH) have gone through their first modules in the 90% range, even 100% on one exam.
There are also many excellent training organisations who can complete the remainder of the flying.