@ jamesleaman,
Any reason you haven't given either of the flying schools in Exeter a mention? The reason I ask is that I have been considering them, but if you live in Exeter and would prefer to go elsewhere, thus increasing the costs of living, then there may be something wrong with them?
Also, a general question (not to hijack the thread): Say I wanted to find a flying job in the UK, would I be putting myself at a significant disadvantage if I did my commercial training at a foreign school (Bartolini in Poland for example)?