CAREERS
The Moonstone Academy offers a comprehensive careers education programme that helps students effectively plan and navigate their career paths.
We strive to guide students in making thoughtful and informed choices about their future, by encouraging high aspirations and delivering impartial, independent advice. We advocate for equal opportunities, honor diversity, and work to break down stereotypes.
Our specific goals are to ensure that students:
- Acquire the essential skills and mindset required for success in both adult and professional life.
- Understand the variety of realistic opportunities available to them in further education and training at 14+, 16+, and 18+.
- Gain the decision-making skills needed to navigate these transitions effectively.
- Develop an understanding of the broad spectrum of education, training, and career paths available locally and nationally.
- Make the best use of available resources to make well-informed and suitable choices throughout their academic journey.
- Benefit from strong partnerships with further education institutions.
- Receive additional support and guidance to help them reach their full potential when needed.
- Engage with the world of work and build transferable skills.
- Thrive in a culture that encourages high aspirations, promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity, and challenges stereotypes.
- Transition from school to employment, further education, or training whenever possible.
Our Approach to Delivering the Careers Programme
At our school, we are fully committed to providing a robust careers programme for students in Years 7-13, which is woven into the fabric of the curriculum. This includes a variety of enriching experiences such as the Moonstone Academy lecture series, guest speakers in different subject areas, educational excursions, work experience opportunities, and a comprehensive careers fair.
The programme has been developed to align with the eight Gatsby benchmarks, ensuring best practices, and meets the guidelines set out in the Department for Education’s 2018 statutory guidance. For the 2024/2025 academic year, we are particularly focusing on addressing Gatsby benchmarks 3 and 8. To enhance our offerings, we have acquired new careers software, which will be rolled out to all students in the next academic year.
Our careers education is delivered through a blend of approaches. It includes structured lessons within the Personal Development Curriculum from Years 7 to 9, primarily led by form tutors. Students can access career-related resources both physically in the careers library and digitally via the Unifrog platform. Unifrog offers comprehensive information on work experience, apprenticeships, university options, career pathways, the job market, and guidance on UCAS applications.
"Students are provided with exceptional careers education, which includes valuable work experience opportunities." – Ofsted 2023
At Key Stage 3, students engage in careers research through the careers library, with the goal of inspiring greater aspirations and enhancing personal, social, and employability skills. We also offer assemblies and a dedicated information evening for parents and students about selecting their options. Additionally, students participate in individual interviews with an independent careers advisor.
At Key Stage 4, students continue to explore career options and pathways to Sixth Form and higher education. They also develop practical skills in CV writing, cover letters, presentations, and interview techniques. This includes a workplace visit in Year 10, followed by a self-arranged work experience placement in Year 11, supported by a parent information evening. We hold assemblies focusing on apprenticeships and A-level options, as well as an evening event for parents and students. Individual meetings with an independent careers advisor are available, who also offers guidance on apprenticeships. Students can also attend a careers fair, where they have the opportunity to meet a range of industry professionals.
At Key Stage 5, students participate in a series of career-focused lectures from universities and employers. These sessions, along with form time, cover essential topics like UCAS applications and interview preparation. Students also enhance their skills in writing personal statements, creating presentations, and conducting interviews. This includes a mock interview with a member of the Moonstone Academy staff. Some students gain industry-specific work experience. Additionally, there is a UCAS information evening, and individual career consultations are available with a qualified, independent careers advisor. Students also have the opportunity to schedule meetings with professionals at the careers fair.
Careers Team:
- James Carter: Senior Assistant Head and SLT Lead
- Emily Thompson: Careers Coordinator (emi@moonstone.education)
- Daniel Harris: Deputy Head, Sixth Form
- Laura Bennett: Independent Careers Advisor
- Sophia Clarke: Careers Administrator
- Oliver Green: Sixth Form Administrator
How to Get Involved
If your company offers work placements, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to our Careers Coordinator. We are always eager to establish new partnerships for our Year 11 work placement programme!
Next Career Information Review : October 2025.
For more information :
- Access our Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance policy on the ‘Our Policies’ page.
“At Moonstone Academy, we are dedicated to providing exceptional support to ensure our students have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential, both academically and in the broader community.”