Thanks for all the advice, and I'm glad that this thread has been turned back to a more generic USA/not discussion rather than a specific school thread; perhaps I was wrong to include an example school.
From what I can see, as it stands at the moment, the best way to start is to get an FAA PPL due to the inclusion of night rating, slight savings etc. I'll be in a position to do this in a year or so, but I'll keep my finger on the pulse in the meantime, and if the situation swings towards what Day_Dreamer has suggested, then of course I'll act accordingly. I'd very much rather spend a few extra thousands and know that I'll get as close to quality training as is possible, than try and score a quick saving and regret it later.
Either way, I'll be taking it nice and slow, and keep taking in the state of the industry.
As a follow up question, a bit I'm a little confused about. Say this time next year, I come home with a shiny new (FAA) PPL, and want to take a modular route, what's the best option from there? I've heard that you don't want to go catapulting around on your own hour building, because you'll get into bad habits etc. From there, would I start the learning for the 14 exams and take those, THEN go and hour build, or..? This is the only part I think I'm still a bit hazy on.
Thanks for the good info folks.