iv just hopped onto this conversation so forgive me if this has been said already.
have you considered going to another school to see how they think you fly?
40 hours without solo is a long time but certainly not unheard of. i took about 12 but i was also aiming for completing in a month. i did all ground exams with derek, rt with my school but due to weather and bookings etc it took me 6 months in the end 45 hours and 10 mins total time.
everyone has their own absorption rate and it should never be rushed, people could get hurt that way. just go with the flow and see what happens. i do think getting another instructors opinion may be worth while step to take. An intensive course is probably going to be unnecessary if say for example , you were being held back.