After denying on Friday that any programs would be cut, principal Shireen Thomas issued a statement authorised by the Education Department yesterday.

Ms Thomas said the school association had endorsed the move to implement the Australian curriculum, which did not include animal handling.

"As a result, our priority focus will be on literacy and numeracy improvement for every student at Brooks High School," Ms Thomas said.

Last week, students told The Examiner they were shocked and devastated about the loss of the "Brooks farm".

Ms Thomas also confirmed the school would no longer offer the option to participate in sport on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

"We are anticipating that this will also increase student attendance and engagement in their learning," Ms Thomas said.

She denied the cuts were driven by financial pressure.

The Spanners mechanics program, which students had feared would also be finished, will be extended to incorporate a vocational pathway.

The Australian Education Union state president Leanne Wright said the cuts were concerning.

"If it's in relation to budget cuts, it's understandable that the farm would be in the firing line."

She said many schools were being forced to scrap "extras" like music and art.

"It's always the ones that are seen as desirable but not as essential."

Tasmanian Education Association president Greg Brown has written to Education Minister Nick McKim asking him to intervene.

"The national science curriculum definitely doesn't say that there's no place for school farms. They absolutely fit hand in glove with the science curriculum," Mr Brown said.

Mr McKim said individual schools were responsible for managing their own budgets.

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