"I think the whole of Europe could have come up with a few that satisfied BGA cert standards."
When we found ourselves a K21 short the UK couldn't come up with one.
*Edit not a single glass 2-seat basic trainer so not a K21, not a Grob of any type, etc.
"My grandson keeps a close eye on this thread muttering that he hopes all issues will be resolved before he puts on his first blue suit"
If your grandson seriously wants to fly gliders his nearest BGA club will provide flying right now, and he can go solo at 14 as long as his flying is up to it. Most BGA clubs have very good deals for Juniors.