When we teach people to fly here, we include such things as turns about a point (u guys might call it an orbit), S turns along a road (which can be used in a traffic pattern to space traffic out) and other maneuvers.
I wouldn't solo someone who couldn't do a 360 on downwind, or S turns on final. I also make darn sure they would know what to do if the airport runway was blocked immediately after the student's takeoff.
skyhighfallguy, all good stuff I am sure but those items are not in the syllabus for the licences in the UK. Operation at "minimum level" is in the syllabus which would include turns/orbits at that height.
When in Rome do as the Romans.
I kind of remember that "orbit" usually involves a 2 minute standard 360, as we all learned in training and frequently train, don't we?
ChickenHouse, maybe in your part of the world but not here in the UK (or indeed Europe as far as I am aware).