PRIMARY schools across the North West were today given a fresh £23million funding boost to help to transform PE lessons for tens of thousands of pupils.

Headteachers have already used the PE and Sports Premium to recruit hundreds of extra specialist PE teachers, buy new equipment and offer a wider selection of sports and free after-school clubs.

The latest PE and Sports premium allocation is the second of three annual payments worth a total of over £450million which is committed to schools.

The funding, introduced in 2013, goes directly to primary school headteachers to be used to help them buy new equipment and bring in new personnel, in addition to offering further facilities.

Sue Wilkinson, from the Association for PE, said: “We are extremely pleased that headteachers are using their funding to increase the amount of time spent on curriculum physical education, and improving learning opportunities for teachers so they can deliver the very best quality lessons.

“We hope that with the continued investment schools will continue to create a sustainable legacy for PE and sport.‘’