I jhave taught someone a complete JAA PPL in three weeks in the UK in 1999. It was very hard work and the student had a high aptitude and remarkable dedication.
If you intend to try the same then I recommend that you complete the PPL exams prior to attending a full time course. All you really need are a set of Trvor Thom or Jeremy Pratt books, a PPL confuser book of sample questions and away you go. Most school will charge you about £100 to sit and mark all the exams.
The arguments about training being best is slow and steady or quick and intense have dogged aviation since Wilbur taught Oliver. Each way suits different people. The military - albeit taking 3 years - generally train people in short intense bursts.
Pool Aviation (i.e. Welshpool) are moving operations and therefore are not really a viable choice at the moment.
Good luck
WWW
ps I did a PPL in under 4 weeks in 1991 off the back of a RAF scholarship at Wellesbourne - if I could build a time machine and go back to day one of that course I would do so in a shot. Great days.