Tim,
As well as speaking to all the schools to get a feel of what is on offer,
TALK TO THE AIRLINES! They employ pilots! Ask all the relevant questions like you asked the forum in your original post.
Also, if you can, talk to current captains, first officers, training captains and ex-pilots. I have done so extensively over the past few months and I'm very glad that I did. If you can't find any to call-up, seek out the bigger hotels in and around the major Airports. Check out the reception area and they are usually more than willing to talk for the price of a coffee. They are brutally honest too!
There are great courses all over the UK and Europe but after all the conversations that I have had with the aforementioned, it has helped me no end to choose a school. I was finding it very difficult as a result of just visiting the training schools themselves.
Good luck!
Craggenmore