PLANS to scrap GCSEs in favour of a return to Olevels could damage the prospects for Southampton’s children, the city’s new education boss has warned.

Cllr Sarah Bogle said Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove’s proposals to axe the qualifications within three years runs the risk of overloading schools already struggling to cope with a raft of changes.

The new Labour city council Cabinet member said: “Gove seems to be on permanent revolution mode. I don’t want to see Southampton children losing out from this throwback to the past.”