Also, the school I am training at is €170 + €30 for the instructor + €5 landing + anything up to €50 per hour for briefings. Is this expensive or normal.
Depends on what you are flying. If a 152 or PA 38 type then €170 is very high, but would be reasonable for a very well equipped 172 or PA 28. The landing fee should normally be included in the aircraft rate unless a landing is conducted at another airfield.
I suspect you could get better value. Imagine a saving of €20 per hour or so over a 60 hour course and you start to get the picture.