A big thank you for all your responses.
Reference Class 1, I have just renewed my Class 2 and had a good chat with the Doc on what is involved getting it and feel comfortable i would. Obviously, I shan't invest @£2k in books, etc, until I hold it in my log book - just in case !
As to which exams to sit, clearly 40% more work for ATPL exams I shall never use makes their choice redundant. Sometimes there are upsides to getting older!
The company I end up choosing could be more difficult. i will definitely closely investigate the options. Like so many other areas of adult learning, it always amazes me how so many training companies are outside being benchmarked because they don't receive any form of funding.
I am not saying for a moment Oftsed is perfect but as a reference point in making an informed decision, they aren't normally that wide of the mark.
I certainly welcome feedback from any person who has used the above companies.