“I will be instructing the Department of Education to implement the inquiry’s key recommendation which is to abandon plans to sell the majority of farm land from the school site,'' she said, in a statement.

“We have also accepted the report’s recommendation to sell 10 hectares at the western edge of the site, with 100% of the proceeds to be used to revitalise the school, including improving the boarding facilities and farm infrastructure.''

The main recommendations that will be adopted are:

• Establishing new, modern agricultural disciplines at the school

• greater links between Hurlstone and neighbouring schools and agricultural research facilities

• the appointment of a commercial manager for the operation of the boarding facility and farm

• leasing 30 hectares of land from a vacant adjoining site owned by the Department of Planning for the school to use, subject to the construction of the South West Rail Link on part of the site.

The independent inquiry was chaired by the former head of the NSW Farmers Federation, Mal Peters, to examine agricultural education at the school.

Mr Peters found there were significant opportunities to revitalise the school to ensure it delivered a world-class agricultural education.