Darren
I'll attempt to answer the CFII question from memory. Assuming that a CFII can teach the FAA instrument rating, the equivalent rating in JAA land is the IRI. Prior to which you need a JAA IR, at least 500hr IFR flight time of which 250 shall be instrument flight time in Helicopters. A big difference I am sure you will agree. With the issue of you JAA FI(R) you will be able to teach the instrument appreciation exercises in the PPL syllabus, but not for the IR. Of course I could be wrong about the priveleges of the CFII as I am not an FAA man.
A lot of us did our ground school at Bristol and they are good. Capt is the first UK Approved Modular Ground School to offer the ATPL(H) exams and not the interim aeroplane ones (as far as I am aware). Capt is run by an experienced helicopter pilot who has been around for a quite some time and has a lot experience writing training material.
In the past it would have been Bristol for me, but now it'd have to be Capt.
Just my opinion.
Good luck with the return to the UK.
Gary