Intensive courses offer the opportunity to the pupil to turn things around quicker than the normal pay as you go (payg) driving lessons. That's not to say that with this quicker method, corners are cut; not here at BIG TOM. A common myth of intensive courses is that pupils are dropped into this funnel of a fixed time programme, regardless of any of the factors I talked about in Video 2 Know your Customer. What you hear is that these pupils go to test when they haven't been appropriately trained, not so at BIG TOM. Our customers are given the choice of either 20 or 40-hour intensive driving courses, depending on the circumstances of the customer. But even when that is being arranged, it is made very clear that if a customer is not ready to go to test after that time, then they will be provided with accurate feedback to methodically work on. That further work does not have to be with BIG TOM, but often is, and is paid for separately. So, the myth that pupils are presented to test when they are really not ready doesn't wash with BIG TOM.
Of course, if pupils (or their parents) don't agree with our feedback, then they are free to take a test in a private car or perhaps ask for the opinion of another instructor. So, disregard any comments you may hear of intensive courses being in some way reckless - not so here at BIG TOM.
The DVSA tell us that the average time pupils take to pass a driving test is 7 months. So what our intensive courses provide is the opportunity to reduce that period of time. But the crucial thing is, not all pupils will appreciate learning on an accelerated learning programme. Some will like slowly, lots of reflection between sessions, and it happens when it happens. And that is of course, perfectly understandable. But it must also be said that some pupils love faster progress. What isn't ideal is when you have a pupil who naturally likes one method which is training in the other. I have to say though, having spoken at length to people about this subject prior to them choosing their method, people can still make the wrong choice (in both situations). A phenomenal number of customers on our intensive courses are sick to death of payg driving lessons; they come to us desperate for an alternative. With payg lessons, I tend to think of it as plodding along on a long walk rather than a run. Some people would prefer a walk to a run, but many wouldn't.
The advantage of long breaks in between for reflection is valid but the interval can also lead to loss of momentum and even forgetting key learning. Having provided both, I can also say with certainty that there are far more cancellations with payg than there are with intensive courses.
So you see it is complex. All I can say having provided both types of training for roughly 12 years now, is that it is quite incredible what can be achieved on an accelerated learning programme. I think payg lessons will come to a conclusion at some point, and the question is whether the pupil has the patience to hold out. But honestly, it is so rewarding to see how you have assisted someone when it is turned around faster. Talk about job satisfaction!
The average age of a BIG TOM customer will be in the mid to late twenties. They might have started lessons at 17, but for many possible reasons, it stopped. Or, what is quite common, they just haven't got around to it, but right now, they really need to get their licence. So BIG TOM customers tend to be very focussed, motivated, they engage in our resources because they know it helps to get results.
In conclusion, my intention isn't to try and persuade my reader that one way is better than the other. It is just to say that ideally, we want to be working with a pupil who suits that style, and as an instructor, give some serious thought as to how you would prefer to work.
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