take_me_on_high ?
I'm not sure what experience you have of Stapleford, but its obviously not a lot!
I've just finished my CPL/IR at Stapleford and I'm not sure that you are talking about the same place!
Firstly, you may not have noticed that for the past five years or so, there has been a tarmac runway which is long enough for commercial operations, used by King-Air's, Navajo's etc. (If you have a problem with grass runways, perhaps you should stay away from most General Aviation strips in England - but then again, you do want to be a "well" trained pilot.) It may come as a shock to you, but you may not be lucky enough to immediatly operate from a major airport (Heathrow), this may mean that you have to instruct from a grass strip!
As for navigational aids you may also have missed the VOR/DME at the end of the runway! This is used for various training approaches.
I can't speak for the training at London Guildhall, as I studied elsewhere, but I do hear that they are improving. I do agree with flying lion that you only get out what you put in !?!
I enjoyed my experience at Stapleford where I found the staff friendly and level of instruction very good.
For me, the price was right, training was excellent and any approaches elsewhere still worked out A LOT cheaper in the long run!!