Primary schools are already making positive changes thanks to a "fresh boost" of funding earmarked specifically for improving PE.

The Department for Education announced that headteachers are using the PE and sport premium to usher in a new era of sporting prowess in their respective schools.

For example, many have reported that the extra funding, worth a total of £150, is being used to recruit extra PE teachers with specialist skills and investing in new equipment.

Other changes include widening the number of sports on offer to pupils and developing better free after-school clubs.

Research carried out by the DfE revealed that nine out of ten schools stated that they quality of their PE lessons have already improved as a result of the extra funding.

More than 90 per cent of respondents to the DfE's survey said that students health, behaviour and standards in education have also shown gains, as a result of better PE lessons.

"As part of our plan for education, we want all children to get into the habit of playing and enjoying sport in primary school as it can help instil confidence, discipline and determination," said minister for children and families Edward Timpson.

"Thanks to our PE and sport premium, primary schools are offering more and better quality sport programmes - and this funding boost will help headteachers go further.

"Whether a child is a potential future Olympic champion or a keen amateur like me, I want them all to be given the chance to fulfil their sporting potential."

Figures analysed by the DfE also reveal that on average primary school children are spending more time being active in school.

For example in 2013, pupils spent 122 minutes a week engaged in physical education. In 2014 that number now stands at 135 minutes.

Sue Wilkinson, from the Association for Physical Education, said that she was "really pleased" that headteachers are using the money to transform the PE curriculum.

She added: "Since the initial investment, evidence demonstrates a transformational shift with physical education and sport driving whole school improvement and making a significant contribution to young peoples’ health and wellbeing."