Patrick consists shows a desire to learn at home by himself and judging by the books he chooses to have in his bedroom I would imagine he would easily educate himself perfectly well in the sense of acquiring an eclectic range of knowledge...less in the passing of exams, for which he has no respect in any case.

Although Nicola and Lawrie don't necessarily know the things that would be expected of IIIa, they are clearly not uneducated either. They just need a bit of catching up. Well, I say that..*Nicola* is clearly not uneducated. but Lawrie's general ignorance is sometimes rather staggering!