Syllabus: OCR - A and AS Level Business
Module: Introduction to Business
Lesson: Enterprise

Introduction

Enterprise sits at the heart of OCR’s A and AS Level Business specification. As part of the “Introduction to Business” module, this topic introduces students to the fundamental building blocks of entrepreneurial thinking, decision-making, and risk-taking.

OCR focuses on how and why business ideas are generated, the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, and the practical challenges of turning ideas into functioning organisations. These concepts support progression into deeper business strategy, marketing, and finance modules later in the course.

This article breaks the topic down into its key concepts, connects it to real-world enterprise, outlines how it’s assessed, and offers practical insights for classroom delivery – all aligned with the OCR A Level specification.

Key Concepts

Students should understand and be able to apply the following syllabus points:

• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

  • What enterprise means in a business context.

  • How and why new business ideas come about – including gaps in the market and innovation.

  • The role of entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities, taking calculated risks, and organising resources.

• The Dynamic Nature of Business

  • How external factors (e.g. technology, economic change, and social trends) impact business ideas and start-ups.

  • The concept of “changing consumer needs” and adapting to stay relevant.

• Business Planning

  • The purpose and content of business plans.

  • Strengths and limitations of using a plan when launching an enterprise.

• The Role of Enterprise in the Economy

  • Job creation, innovation, and contribution to national and local economies.

These elements lay the groundwork for more complex topics such as business growth, marketing strategies, and operations.

Real-World Relevance

Enterprise is not an abstract concept – it’s alive in every high street, digital platform, and post-pandemic pivot. Case in point:

• Gymshark – A UK start-up turned global fitness brand. Its founder Ben Francis started the company at 19, spotting a market gap in gym wear for young people. It’s now valued at over £1 billion.

• Social Enterprises – Organisations like Toast Ale or The Big Issue demonstrate that enterprise isn’t just about profit, but about tackling societal issues through sustainable business models.

• Local Start-Ups – Encourage students to look at new businesses in their own communities or on platforms like Kickstarter and Young Enterprise. They often see enterprise in action around them but don’t recognise it as “curriculum content” until it’s pointed out.

How It’s Assessed

OCR uses a range of question types to assess students’ understanding of enterprise:

• Short Answer Questions – Define enterprise or identify key entrepreneurial characteristics.

• Application Questions – Using context (like a case study of a new café or tech start-up), students explain how enterprise contributes to business success.

• Analysis and Evaluation – Students weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of business planning, or the risks of entrepreneurship.

Command words include:

• Explain (e.g. explain how enterprise supports innovation)

• Analyse (e.g. analyse the impact of market research on a business start-up)

• Evaluate (e.g. evaluate whether a business plan guarantees success)

Emphasise the importance of applying knowledge to case studies, justifying points with context.

Enterprise Skills Integration

Enterprise isn’t just a topic – it’s a toolkit. This lesson opens the door to key skills such as:

• Problem-Solving – Students think critically about why certain businesses succeed while others fail.

• Decision-Making – Lessons can involve real or fictional scenarios where students choose how to allocate a limited budget or assess risk.

• Creativity – Developing their own business idea as a formative task.

• Numeracy and Planning – Introducing simple forecasting and budgeting exercises to support business plan work.

Enterprise Skills’ Business Simulations are a strong match here – students make real-time decisions as if they were running a start-up, with built-in scoring to see the consequences of their choices.

Careers Links

This lesson directly supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers) and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers):

• Relevant Roles: Entrepreneur, start-up founder, business development officer, marketing assistant, product manager.

• Real-World Pathways: Young Enterprise programmes, T Levels in Business and Administration, and apprenticeships with SMEs.

• Workplace Relevance: Students learn how enterprise thinking applies to all organisations, not just new ones – intrapreneurship is growing in corporate sectors.

Encourage students to reflect on how enterprise skills can help in any career, from launching a side hustle to driving innovation within a larger company.

Teaching Notes

What Works Well:

• Business Idea Challenges – Set students a task to pitch a product that solves a current problem.

• Use Local Examples – Whether it’s a local bakery or online reseller, make enterprise feel tangible.

• Simulation Tools – Use Enterprise Skills’ plug-and-play business simulations for immersive, zero-prep learning.

Common Pitfalls:

• Overusing theoretical definitions without applying them.

• Relying solely on textbook case studies – fresh, local examples make stronger impact.

• Confusing “enterprise” with “entrepreneurship” – clarify the distinction early on.

Extension Activities:

• Link to financial planning modules by developing cash flow forecasts.

• Invite guest speakers or alumni running their own businesses.

• Get students to track an enterprise over a term – e.g. how it adapts to changing consumer trends.