Hi All,
Seems that I have been very lucky with the couple of schools I used, both at LGB. Both offered block rates of about 10% discount for only $1500 down, which effectively gives you an extra hour for your money. Both took cards, including Amex, and both would happily refund anything left over if you didn't spend it - including coming to the end of the trip and having to return to the UK. Unfortunately one of the schools is no longer there - a good well established school which had internal staff problems closed down - much to the shock of us regulars.