A PE teacher is urging the Government over moves to make GCSE PE more academic - and less sporty.

At the moment, 60 per cent of the marks for the GCSE are given for practical achievement with the remaining 40 per cent for exercise theory.

But under new proposals, only 30 per cent of marks would be available for practical achievement with 70 per cent being awarded for theory.

Tom Chapman, PE subject leader at Philip Morant School and College in Colchester, is challenging the move and has collected nearly 9,000 names opposing the changes.

He has also won support from Olympic sprint champion Lindford Christie and world champion hurdler Colin Jackson.

Mr Chapman said the changes would not only hit GCSE students but could have ramifications throughout the school.

He added they could be the final nail in the coffin for PE GCSE and could seriously hinder the fight against obesity.

Mr Chapman started the petition after the changes were revealed at a meeting of north east Essex PE leaders.

He said: "The changes would come in 2016 and would see the percentage of marks for practical achievement cut down to 30 per cent.

"The aim is to make the examination more academic as the GCSE is possibly viewed by some as a soft option.

"But it gives students who are less academic the opportunity to achieve in school in a practical subject.

"There is also the negative impact for sports provision throughout the school.

"If we are looking to teach so much theory for GCSE, there will be pressure to teach theory in lower age groups too."

He added: "Being physically active is so important. Obesity is increasing in the country and anything we can do to encourage practical activity is vital."

Mr Chapman said it was feared some schools might get rid of GCSE PE entirely as a result of the changes.

The petition lobbies Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and calls for at least 50 per cent of the examination to be practically assessed.

It says: "The move to an almost solely theoretical course will have an impact on the activity level of students in PE lessons due to schools trying to maximise the performance of students by focussing much more on theory lessons rather than actually be physically active taking part in sport.

"This will have long lasting and damaging effects on the health and fitness of future generations.

"If these changes go through then many schools may choose to no longer offer Physical Education as a GCSE and the change to the GCSE PE course may well be the final nail in the coffin for physical education in secondary schools."

To support the petition, go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-the-physical-in-gcse-physical-education