For those asking- i made my initial application on March 17th 09, and Found out on August 15th that i had passed stage 3.
Needed another month to book a medical appointment and answer security questions, as well as obtain exam results- going right back to GCSEs!
Have been offered a start date on area for the beginning of feb unless i want to start aerodrome where i might start January. LIkely that the whole process will have taken at least 10 months by the time i start college.
Expect it to take 3 years from point of application before you fully validate.