Finally, can anyone suggest why the younger instructors in the UK are not teaching 60 degree banked turns?
Simply, because a number of items, including max rate turns, that were taught as part of the UK PPL, are not included in the JAA/EASA syllabus that we are now obliged to follow.
Whilst the CAA SSL13 - Collision Avoidance referred to here is quite comprehensive regarding lateral lookout, it only includes a one liner regarding lookout in the climb and descent
c) During the climb and descent beware of the blind spot under the nose– manoeuvre the aircraft so that you can check