Just wanted to say I actually went to Torrens house when DD was 10 weeks - they do not do crying it out at all and were actually fantastic for the feeding problems I was having with DD and they were incredibly supportive. I imagine some sleep schools are better than others
I want to say that I too went to a 'sleep school', not so that my DD would sleep for x amount of hrs per night - there were many reasons we went. I agree with babymiracles that some would be better than others. For example my gf went to Tweedle following advice from her SIL. My gf daugther was constipated & was struggling to do # 2. Finally she did when she was in her cot for her night sleep and the poo was hard & the size of a golfball. Her DD was distressed & the nurse(?) told me gf to change her daughter in her cot & then put her back to bed so she knew it was bedtime.... needless to say my gf checked herself out the next day. The one I went to WAS NOT like that at all.

I also agree with Farmgirls post - I think she made a good point. Some parents must be so low, sleep deprived - whatever & are looking for support / a 'solution' and turn to 'experts'. I certainly DO NOT agree with the advice that was given by these 'experts' but I can see why the parents may have thought to follow the advice given

I have even been told by two gf to do CC/CIO & I won't & my DD is nearly 3 and doesn't sleep through the night all the time. I will admit that I have listened on the monitor to my DD cry/winge and waited to see if she will settle - I don't rush to her straight away (not sure if that is considered CIO/CC)