At Mortlake College the Middle Year's students are grouped vertically, at years 5-7 and years 8-10. In 5-7, students work in a 'core' group for Maths, English and Humanities. The teachers of these subjects also act as House Mentors for the 5-7s, building strong, significant teacher relationships. Welfare and pastoral care is a key attribute of the system, which provides a transitional 'bridge' between the solo classrooms of the P-4 and the secondary , specialist classrooms of the secondary area. Specialist teachers are responsible for the delivery of all other subjects.
At years 8-10, Maths and English remain compulsory and students choose their subjects in the other 4 blocks, ensuring that they satisfy a minimum unit requirement for each learning area.