Mathematics and science tutors from the School of Education, University of East Anglia have since 1978 been involved in INSET programmes which includes meeting teachers and children in their own schools. Such school‐based in‐service work is demanding for all concerned. It involves making sensitive judgements, often instantly, about relationships between teachers, pupils, heads, and LEA staff. This is especially so in mathematics and science where so many people feel inadequate. Tutors involved in teacher training should consider their professional experience lacking if it does not include recent school‐based in‐service education because the work brings a new dimension to courses which are based at Schools or Colleges of Education.