The training circuit is simply an easy way of practising all the exercises completed up to that point in a very efficient way.
It consists of;
Take-off and transition to climb.
Climb on constant heading
Climbing turn
Climb on constant heading and leveling off to straight and level flight.
Medium turn in level flight.
Straight and level flight
Medium turn in level flight.
Descent on constant heading at a fixed speed
Change in configuration (flap)
Descending turn with flap
Descent on constant heading at fixed speed
Change in configuration (flap)
Flare and landing.
The student should have demonstrated competence in all except the take-off and landing during the upper air work. They will also have completed most of the take-offs and many of the landings.
The trick is to concentrate on each stage at a time. Know where one stage ends and the next begins. Basically, Straight ahead, left turn to where the wing was pointing, left turn to where the wing was pointing, left turn to where the wing was pointing and left turn to line up with the runway.
Don't try to accomplish everything at once. The accuracy of the pattern is the last requirement.
That's my method.
Agree about pattern size. However if possible, I start big and then work in as this gives the student more time especially on base leg.
DFC