I'd go with the course, if you can avoid points do, and drive there slowly! You'll have some sanctimonious J Arthur telling you that you are more evil than Pol Pot for hours on end and showing you gory pictures but just grin and bear it mate.
I've got a mate who had a clean licence and got caught similar to you. He decided he had room for points so refused the course now he's got 9 and has to drive around like mother Theresa all the time!
General rule, if you can avoid points, do!