Professor Eric Evans is Emeritus Professor of Modern British History at Lancaster University. He also spent 25 years at Chief Examiner for two of the three English awarding bodies. Beginning in the 1970s, Professor Evans reviews the changes which have taken place in the world of history examinations, including the introduction of the GCSE in 1988 and the reform of A level in 2000. He also discusses his work with Nick Tate and the Schools Examination and Assessment Council (SEAC) on the first National Curriculum in 1990. Chief among his concerns has been the growing gap between universities and schools as university academics no longer have a prominent role in the setting or awarding of school examinations. Interviewed by Nicola Sheldon