There's quite a few more schools than I've got on the list, I probably have about 4 requests a month to be added to the school list and I get to hear of a lot more than that, I think that all over the country there are people teaching bushcraft at the weekends, these days there are very few schools that can get into the full time teaching of bushcraft.
I think there's something to be said for all bushcraft teachers, both full and part time, they've all got something to offer, the bottom line is that if they're good they're good, one could say that because the full time instructors are out doing it a lot more they're more likely to have a better skill base and knowledge, they're also more likely to have a much broader range of courses available.
Some of the part time (weekend) schools keep to very basic courses as that's the level of their skill and knowledge and although it's considerably higher than the average person on the street it's still not as good as those that have been doing it a long time or those with a real aptitude for it.
On the other hand some of the part time instructors are fantastic, they do have that aptitude and they're good at passing on information and knowledge. If people go on a course knowing less than the instructor then theres stuff to learn, if he can give it to them in a format that they can learn from, good for him (or her!)
The bottom line is that both part time and full time schools have something to offer, there are poor full time schools and poor part time schools, you get a good one of either and it's good, that's it. As for which one of the good ones, the one that suits you! Some are very informal and some are more formal, each fits in with what people want and expect. Some will advocate that so and so is the best instructor, some will advocate someone else, it's all down to personal preference.
As for part time schools taking business from the full time schools, maybe they do, maybe they don't, maybe they make the first steps into bushcraft more attractive and the people move on to the full time schools to get a more rich experience from the different courses they offer, so, maybe the bigger schools gain from it all
Who really knows, no one is going to fund a national census on it so it's all opinion and egos, each school will defend their position in the industry, members of the forum and members of the public will have opinions based on their perspective, what usually wins though is how much coverage an instructor or school can get, the more coverage the more they are in peoples minds and the more business they get, Take Ray for instance, his courses are always booked up, he's on the TV, everyone knows him.
Boy, I'm going on!!
The thing is, it's all opinion, it's one persons opinion that started this thread, probably a member of the public that doesn't teach but has something to say about it.
The big schools are generally big because they work hard at providing a broad range of courses and they employ very proficient staff to teach people, they are good and generally you've more chance of having a good experience and learning stacks if you go to one of them. They're very professional and they're concerned about making your experience a good one, their livelihoods depend on it, but on top of that they really care about what they're doing...generally!
If you find a part time school that you like and they offer all you want, then fantastic and go for it. They often set up because they love bushcraft and they have a desire to teach people, some of them want to be big schools and create an empire, but most just want to share some of the knowledge they have and make some dosh on the side. Theres nothing wrong with this, if they have the skills and knowledge you want then use them to get it and at a price you can afford.
Do your foot work, find out all you can about the schools, the courses they offer, the reputations they have, call them up and talk to them, most would be happy to invite you for a chat. Make them sell the course to you, you're the customer. Forget the politics, it's for them to sort out, you just take advantage of the best that's on offer, be that cost or skills....your decision.