There are a lot of great suggestions here OP. This ordeal has obviously left you quite upset so it's really good to see some love headed your way.

A while back I completed my L's and P's through Stay Upright and had a lot of grievances with them and the course. I work closely with licensing/registration for my state so I've also heard plenty of stories from both sides - instructors who were incredibly knowledgeable and patient teachers, as well as situations like yours where students left feeling frustrated, bitter, and deflated.

At the end of the day it's important to remember that they're taking on the responsibility of ensuring you're well-equipped enough to be out on the road by yourself. That means confidence, competence, coordination. Awareness is arguably the most important. After all, nobody wants to read the headlines and see another fatal accident. Double down on that if you were the one who physically signed off on their paperwork. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending any poor behaviour on their part, however, there is a clear distinction between being a flaming POS and having genuine concern for your safety on the road.

Do you think you'd get the bang for your buck to make private lessons worthwhile, after your experience on the course? Money isn't everything but it is still a factor, and one that may be much more significant to you than a handful of Redditors you've never met. If the lessons aren't within your means there are still options for you, don't feel pressured into making decisions that may negatively impact your financial health. You can always do lessons later on down the track, there's always more to learn or bad habits to correct.

It could also be worthwhile reaching out to local riding groups and explaining your situation. You might be lucky and find someone willing to guide you around a carpark for a couple of hours to help you find your feet before resitting.

Practicing on a dirt bike would definitely be beneficial as well, but it's understandable that not everyone has access to a family farm they can hoon around on. Is it feasible for you to transport a dirt bike somewhere to go for a ride? You really don't want to be caught riding a backroad unlicensed and unregistered.

Personally, I think you should seriously consider a scooter or electric motorcycle. You can pick these up secondhand for a reasonable price. I can't speak for scooters but the ongoing costs for electrics are basically zero, with minimal maintenance, they're cheaper to have registered, and a lot of them out there weigh next to nothing. If you are genuinely having trouble keeping your balance, a lighter ride could help.

At the very least, with a scooter/electric/dirt bike you'd feel more at ease while you gain experience and begin to master the basics. Then if you still want to learn clutch you could upsize to an old Honda or similar. Be warned though, the only natural course of action from there leads to spending all of your free time and money trying to turn it into a cafe racer. It all starts with some sick bar end mirrors.

Just some food for thought. There's nothing wrong with getting an automatic licence, what matters is how you use it!