A tribute to Martin Hollins
Martin was a staunch ASE supporter, former editor of ‘Primary Science’ and ASE committee member, and was widely known and respected in the fields of primary and secondary education over many years. The tributes below come from a wide spectrum of friends and colleagues and illustrate clearly the warmth and respect in which he was held. Martin will be greatly missed.
Chris Harrison, King’s College London
I first met Martin when he was an advisory teacher at North London Science Centre in the ILEA. He had been a material scientist before moving into teaching and Sheila, his wife, was a doctor who specialised in psychiatry. He had an interest then in international work, both in supporting teachers and working with students who were learning English. I used to see him at the ASE Annual Conference as well as ILEA events and he was always friendly and supportive. After ILEA, he moved on to the Bath 16-19 project, which was an innovative approach to A-level physics with a core curriculum and several satellite options such as medical science, space science, materials science, etc.
With the approach of the National Curriculum, he moved to take the lead on the Bath 5-16 project, creating resources for Key Stages 1 – 4 for the new curriculum. He was able to draw on a wide range and number of science educators from the ILEA days and also from ASE. I was one of those asked and it was an amazing opportunity, as the project paid half my salary and I wrote for half the week and then tried out the activities and ideas in my science department through my own teaching for the rest. It was a very innovative approach for that time, which benefitted many science teachers who were implementing the first version of the National Curriculum in classrooms, and also the future science education careers of the project team – many of whom went on to do research or professional development at national level.
Through his links with Bath University, Martin began working with Dr. Paul Denley and this pair got funded by AstraZeneca to support and broadcast primary science teaching and learning. Again, an innovative approach was taken and Martin was able to pull on, yet again, his networks through the now ex-ILEA and ASE. Folk like Natasha Serret took part in this project.
He has also served on ASE committees and been a regular Annual Conference goer. All in all, as well as being such a wonderful and caring individual, Martin Hollins has been an inspirational facilitator of change and has done an enormous amount for science education and for many of the science educators with whom he has worked.
Michael J. Reiss, Past President of ASE
With the death in January of Martin Hollins, at home, with his close family all around him, after three years living with motor neurone disease, the science education community has lost one of its wisest and nicest members.
I first got to know Martin in the 1990s, when he was Principal Subject Officer for Science at the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority). He seemed to have a skill for shepherding through changes in a way that satisfied both classroom teachers and academics in the field. Whether talking to teachers or appearing before a Parliamentary Select Committee, Martin always seemed calm and able to summarise his extensive knowledge clearly and with occasional fine humour.
Martin was an accomplished author and, a decade ago, a colleague of mine suggested that Martin and I write an article together comparing the science curricula of a number of countries. The result was an article in a strong journal, The Curriculum Journal, which has been well cited. What I most remember from the experience was the combination of Martin’s sharp analytical mind and hard work.
A couple of years later, Martin persuaded me to take over from him as a Trustee of the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT). (Those were the days when these things were done over a coffee rather than by making a formal application in response to a national advertisement.) Martin was a Trustee of PSTT from 2006-18 and, as with anything that he seemed to put his mind to, was wonderful at this.
I am very aware that this is only a snapshot of Martin’s professional life. He intersected with so many people in such a range of ways. He is very, very missed.
Robin Millar, Emeritus Professor of Science Education, University of York and Past President of ASE
I was greatly saddened to hear of the recent death of Martin Hollins. I came to know Martin in the 1990s, as a member of the science team at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Martin’s experience gave him an understanding of the concerns of both practitioners and academics, and he had the skill and wisdom to work towards solutions that drew on the strengths of both perspectives.
Alongside a relatively ‘light touch’ review of the science National Curriculum in 1999, QCA were tasked with preparing the ground for a fuller review in five years’ time. Their response was to set up a steering group on ‘Keeping school science in step with the changing world of the 21st century’. Tenders were invited for a project to identify curriculum models that could increase ‘flexibility’ at Key Stage 4, to consult widely on these, and make recommendations. The direction and emphasis of this review was a reflection of Martin’s concerns and priorities. The work led directly to the ‘Twenty First Century Science’ project – a suite of three inter-connected GCSE courses. Martin’s support was absolutely critical to its success, as an innovation of this scale could not have been implemented and tested without the active support of QCA as the official regulator of curriculum and examinations.
Throughout, it was always a pleasure to work with Martin. He was thoughtful and insightful in his judgements, wise about the inevitable constraints, yet open to new ideas and possibilities. The ‘Twenty First Century Science’ project simply would not have been possible without Martin’s efforts to encourage, support and facilitate.
Like Michael above, I am aware that my knowledge of Martin’s professional life and work is very partial – a snapshot. In his work, he consistently sought to encourage change and development that could lead to improvements in science teaching and learning. He made a difference, and he will be greatly missed.
Roger McCune MBE, Chair of the Association 1995/96, and most recently Honorary Treasurer
Martin died peacefully on Sunday 12th January 2025. He had managed a period of declining health with great fortitude, supported by his loving family. Martin made an outstanding contribution to ASE; he loved the Association and gave his support in so many ways, most recently as a member of the Quality and Audit Committee. Martin taught science at all levels. However, he will be remembered most for his work on curriculum development. He was heavily involved with the Secondary Science Curriculum Review (SSCR). His efforts, while heading up one of the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) science centres, was praised by many grateful teachers.
Martin was involved in the early stages of the development of the primary science curriculum. His book Progression in Primary Science (co-written with Virginia Whitby) provides an excellent teachers' guide to the nature and practice of science at Key Stages 1 and 2. I have so many happy memories of discussions with Martin about primary science and he graciously agreed to be a keynote speaker at a major schools’ science conference in Belfast.
I worked closely with Martin when he was appointed as a science officer at the former (and fondly remembered) Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), forerunner of Ofqual. At that time, I was the science officer at the Northern Ireland Curriculum Council (NICC). Our work paths crossed almost every week. Martin (and Carolyn Swain, also a science officer at QCA) were great supporters of ASE and they always ensured that the Association was involved in development work with both the curriculum and qualifications/tests.
Martin had a passion for science, particularly science education. It was always a pleasure to discuss science issues with him. He had strong views on the teaching and learning of science but was always happy to listen to differing opinions of others. His strength was that he always wanted to get things done.
He gave so much to ASE and I know that he would say that the Association gave much back. I will miss him – we had kept in touch, particularly through the Annual Conferences. We always enjoyed 'moving' about on the disco floor in the early hours of the morning. Neither of us were 'Strickly' dancers!! To Martin's family we send our love and thanks for sharing him with ASE.
Rachel Linfield, Senior Lecturer, Carnegie School of Education
Thirty years ago I first 'met' Martin Hollins when he phoned to ask whether I would be willing to join the editorial board for Primary Science Review (now Primary Science). Within minutes, we were sharing our thoughts on science clubs, investigations and ways to engage the interest of both children and teachers. I quickly realised that Martin was encouraging, supportive, enthusiastic, a good listener and very knowledgeable. So my answer was an eager 'yes, please'.
In board meetings, Martin always made everyone feel welcome and his chairing skills were clear to see. Meetings were enjoyable with a sense of 'What can we do next?', 'What is new?', 'What should change?'. He listened to our ideas, but Martin could also say an assertive 'no' when he did not feel that things were moving in the right direction. I was delighted when Martin encouraged me to be an assistant editor and I appreciated learning editorial skills from him.
It was a great pleasure to work with Martin and I will always be glad that, when I joined the Primary Science Review team, he was the Editor. I know that the Primary Science journal of the 2020s has much to thank Martin for with his vision for engaging and inclusive science.
Alan Rhodes, former member of the Quality and Audit Committee
Martin joined the ASE Quality and Audit (Q&A) Committee in September 2000 after being elected for his first three-year term, being re-elected after his first term. Dennis Sutton, the then Chair of Q&A, had spoken to Martin and also the late Jonathan Ling at the 2000 Annual Conference and persuaded them to stand for Q&A due to their long service to ASE members in a variety of roles, and for their strategic insight in supporting members. The Committee welcomed Martin's input to Q&A as he was an excellent colleague to work with, reflective and insightful, with a broad but detailed understanding not only of the nature of science teaching but also of promoting the benefits and standards of a membership organisation.
David Sang, textbook author and resource developer
I met Martin at the start of the University of Bath-Macmillan Science 16-19 Project, led by Professor Jeff Thompson. Starting in 1990, the project produced innovative core textbooks covering physics, chemistry and biology, with additional slimmer books dealing with optional topics in the different curricula. Martin wrote the Medical Physics book and had a strong influence on the style of these texts, which introduced up-to-date ideas and applications into sixth-form teaching.
As a member of the initial 16-19 team, I recall arriving in a room at Bath University to find a small huddle of potential authors. Martin immediately introduced himself and brought me into the conversation. Because the project was just beginning, there was a certain amount of jockeying for position – who would write what? But Martin didn’t join in with that. He wanted us to design and produce the best possible resources rather than trying to advance individual authors’ careers. Many of the resulting books are still to be found in school libraries and as reference material on teachers’ bookshelves. The success of that project and the introduction of the National Curriculum in England and Wales led to the project’s extension to the full 5-16 age range, led jointly by Martin and Jeff and published by Nelson.
Martin was clearly a great team player and, above all, he was kind. He was good at connecting with people and helping them to produce their best work. In later years, when he had bigger national roles, I used to go to events that he organised for the ASE and others, and it was noticeable that he was never a speaker who sought to promote himself or a ‘product’. He would work with an audience, identifying their existing ideas and helping them to develop their thinking. If he himself was an audience member, he saw his role as one of providing support and encouragement, bringing out the best in people.
He will be missed by many.
Dr. Ralph Levinson
I have not seen Martin for about 20 years, but I worked with him on the Bath-McMillan project in the late 1980s. Martin co-led the project. He was kind, calm, supportive and critical. Sometimes he would join me, and a few other writers on the project, in my flat, suggesting changes and listening carefully to the points that we made. He was respectful, and committed to producing the best possible materials.
We always stopped to chat when I came across him after the project. He was one of those rare people who took a deep interest in what I was doing, and I never felt patronised by him. A good listener. I remember him very fondly. RIP Martin.
Peter Campbell, former teacher, curriculum developer, author, editor and teacher educator (1979 to 2017)
I first met Martin when he was Director of the ILEA's North London Science Centre and I was a probationary science teacher. Subsequently and for many years, I used his book, Medical Physics, when teaching A-level physics. Our paths crossed again when Martin led the Science team at the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority and I was at the Nuffield Curriculum Centre, part of a team developing ‘Twenty First Century Science’. Martin played an important role in shaping that course.
Martin's personal attributes, experiences and skills clearly played a central part in his successful career. He was always warm and encouraging of others, whether they were teachers, curriculum developers or collaborators. He listened thoughtfully, communicated directly and respectfully. He used his organised mind to better the world.