You know, I'm wondering whether EGKB is suffering from the traditional "rush the student through Ex 4-9 scenario"?
If someone had really taught him about secondary effects, how to handle the aircraft at various speeds, how to manage energy and how to set-up and manage descents, maybe he wouldn't be in the position where he is still thinking about the basics during approach and landing.
I'm sure there are a load of instructors out there who, like me, cry when they find that their student has reached circuits about 5 hours too early.