if you know you are able to do the exams, but just need to put the effort in then i would say home study. if you need to be pushed into learning then go to london met.
the ppl exams are pretty easy and should not require alot of brain busting. the only thing i found hard in them was learning how to use the CRP5 as its confusing when you start. once you get you head around it, it is actualy quite handy.
the lecturers are all good there. i did my ATPLs there some time back. two of the lecturers travel in every day from your part of the country as well.