Teacher INSET Courses

Nick will also visit YOUR school or institution. He presents a wide range of courses / lectures / INSET training days etc... there will always be something applicable to your specific needs.
Contact Nick for details on 01253 772974 or click here to email

Teacher INSET Course Overview

Teachers of science at primary or secondary level can benefit from one of our Astronomy INSET courses. Schools can choose to send one or two teachers on to our specified course dates or send a whole department on a date to be arranged with you.

Course Overview For Key Stage 2

The one day INSET Astronomy and Earth in Space course has been specifically designed for trainee teachers and teachers of the Key Stage 2 Science Curriculum. Making full use of our dedicated state of the art facilities, you will learn about astronomyy and our universe through structured tutorials interactive presentations and displays.

Key stage 2 teachers are subject to an ever-increasing demand upon their own established breadth of knowledge. The aim of this INSET course is three-fold:

  1. To enhance and develop personal knowledge of astronomy and related subjects. 
  2. To supply teachers with helpful and additional guidance in the form of worksheets / classroom approach / etc. 
  3. To develop a confident enthusiasm for the subject of astronomy – an enthusiasm that can be passed on to pupils in the classroom environment.

This is an INSET day with a difference. The course is run in a relaxed and informal manner, without detracting from a professional intuitive presentation. This is your day, and we want you to get as much out of the course as possible.

Course Structure and Learning Outcomes
Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the INSET day course consists of the following:

A structured tutorial as an introduction to astronomy: The Earth and its place within the Universe.

  • A visit to the Observatory and Victorian
    ‘Cooke’ refracting telescope

  • Lunch

  • Time under the stars – a tour of the night
    sky, season by season. A relaxing
    presentation in our housed Starlab
    planetarium: an aid to gaining a confident
    familiarity with the constellations of the
    night sky – always a favourite!

  • A formal lecture presentation - “Through the     solar system – and beyond”

  • Question and Answer session - a perfect
    opportunity to further tailor the course to your
    own needs.

The course will finish at 3:00 p.m.

Delegates will learn about:

  • The common and exciting themes of space
    science - aiding in the presentation and
    realisation of ‘space-borne’ projects which
    are becoming increasingly familiar in
    primary and preparatory schools

  • Additional extra-curricular topics – the sort
    of information that makes astronomy
    exciting for teachers and pupils alike and
    much more accessible in the classroom

Course Fees and Extras
The cost of the 1 day course is £180 per person.

The KS2 INSET Astronomy and Earth In Space course offers ongoing support and backup to all teachers that attend after the course has finished. You can get in touch with Nick anytime post-course on the contact number below.

Course Overview for Key Stage 4

The one day INSET Earth in Space course has been specifically designed for teachers of the Key Stage 4 Science Curriculum. Making full use of our dedicated state of the art facilities, you will learn about astronomy and our universe through structured tutorials interactive presentations and displays.

The course provides a rounded overview of GCSE level astronomy but is not restricted to the Curriculum. By combining curriculum and non-curriculum based topic information, the course aims to excite and interest students by making space science more accessible than ever before.

Course Structure and Learning Outcomes
Before lunch you will visit our ‘on-site’ Victorian Observatory and ‘Cook’ refracting telescope.

After lunch you will spend some time under the starts and experience a journey through the night sky season by season in our housed Starlab Planetarium.

Followed by a formal lecture entitled ‘Through The Solar System – And Beyond’ which leads into an invaluable Question and Answer session at the end of the day - a perfect opportunity to further tailor the course to your own needs.

Delegates will learn about and understand:

  • The earth and our place within the universe
  • The solar system
  • The dynamics of orbit
  • Stellar evolution

Course Fees and Extras
The cost of the 1 day course is £180 per person.

Courses normally start at 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Nick Lister
Nick Lister is passionate about astronomy. As a councillor for the Association for Astronomy Education (AAE), an organisation devoted to supporting the teaching of astronomy, Nick is equally dedicated to passing this enthusiasm on to all ages and all levels.

The KS4 INSET Earth In Space course offers ongoing support and backup to all teachers that attend after the course has finished. You can get in touch with Nick anytime post-course on the contact number below.

To Book Now
To book a place on the KS2 or KS4 INSET courses please click here or email astronomy@rossallcorporation.co.uk


Need Further Information?
If you are would like to speak to Dr. Lister before making a booking, please do not hesitate to call on 01253 772974.

Dates and Prices

Earth In Space Key Stage 2 INSET
Thursday 21st April 2008 10am-3pm
£180.00

Earth in Space Key Stage 4 INSET
Thursday 29th April 2008 10am-3pm
£180.00

How to Find Us - for a map and directions, please click here.