I haven't done NCT, so I cannot compare the two - and I agree with the comments I've read about NHS classes from many women that there's very little they are told that they didn't already know. But, what I didn't know, and couldn't know from another source, was what specific procedure at my particular hospital is, what their policies are and why. THAT was very useful to me and has made the classes worth going to. Also, it's good to meet more of the midwives, and the specialist breastfeeding midwife, and for OH and I both to be familiar with the labour ward, where it is, etc, etc, so there is less chance of panic on the day.
My classes have been massive (first one had at least 70 couples) and there is a lot of the stuff that, to me, is a waste of time (like getting in groups and writing questions down - I'd have preferred them just to tell us the ist of what is going to be covered and if anyone wanted to add a question they could) but overall, I am glad I have done them
