We may be jumping the gun with the criticisms of the school, or at least the instructor. I haven't read any information indicating he was on a solo ppl nav, he may well have a ppl, been away for a day of two hour building for his cpl, and decided independently to return in crap weather, in which case a good result for a precautionary landing, poor judgement shown regarding weather and a kick up his 19 yr old are is due.