Very likely that both have had a complete change of staff in twelve years! The only way you will know what they are like now is:
Look at their performance figures , based on exam results ( secondary) or SATs (primary) , how do they compare locally and nationally to other similar schools. There should be links to this on their website. How do the schools encourage wider experience, do they have music, drama, sports activities, do they run homework clubs, breakfast clubs, are the children taken on educational visits, do they have connections to the local community.
Ask local parents, but be aware of local and individual prejudice colouring their responses.
Visit both schools at home time , are staff visible speaking to the children/ parents, how do the children seem as they come out of school. Probably more relevant to primary but I know my local secondary has teachers on gate duty who chat to children as they leave and the two way relationships seem both amicable and respectful.
Visit both schools during school time if possible , how do children move around the school, what can you hear as you walk past classrooms, does the school look attractive with current , tidy displays (of childrens work rather than feel good posters), how do staff speak to children/ how do children speak to staff and to each other.
Trust your instincts, it’s a bit like buying a house, you sort of know when the match is good.