Curriculum

At Mount Roskill Primary School our curriculum is built on a foundation of high expectations, responsive practice, and a core focus on literacy and mathematics. We believe that all children have the potential to be successful learners, and our role is to provide a rich learning environment and expert teaching that enables them to achieve this.

Our commitment to high expectations isn’t about setting an impossible bar; it’s about fostering a growth mindset where students understand that effort, perseverance, and resilient thinking are the keys to success. We challenge our students with engaging, purposeful activities and celebrate the journey of learning, not just the final outcome. We recognise that to unlock a child’s potential, we must also be responsive to their individual needs. This means valuing each learner’s unique background and experiences, and using this knowledge to design learning that is meaningful and effective for them.

Central to this approach is our strong emphasis on literacy and maths. We know these are the foundational skills that empower our children to navigate the world and access learning across all curriculum areas. Our teaching is informed by the latest research in the science of learning, focusing on how the brain acquires, stores, and retrieves knowledge. This includes:

Building the Basics: Our explicit instruction in fundamental skills is crucial for this process. We prioritise systematic phonics for Years 1 – 3 classes and a strong spelling programme for Year 4 – 6. This will help ensure students build a strong foundation for reading and writing. We ensure mastery of basic maths facts that are built on each year. This allows our students to free up their working memory, so they can focus on more complex problem-solving and creative thinking.

Improving Long-Term Memory: We understand that learning isn’t just about understanding a concept in the moment, but about securing it in long-term memory. We use evidence-based strategies like spaced practice and retrieval practice to help information stick. This means we revisit key concepts over time and encourage students to actively recall information, strengthening the neural pathways in their brains.


We are committed to providing a curriculum that is not only robust and well-structured, but also dynamic and responsive to your child’s unique needs. By combining a focus on core skills with an understanding of how children learn, we are equipping our students with the knowledge and resilience they need to thrive and succeed in their futures.

At MRPS we offer a range of opportunities for extension, learning support and the arts. Check out the tab “What’s On Offer At Our School?” to find out what your child can get involved in.