This unit introduces students to the nature of business activity and the role that businesses play within the economy. Students explore why businesses exist, how they operate within markets, and the factors that influence business success or failure. Key economic concepts are introduced to help students understand how markets function and how businesses respond to changing conditions.
Sub‑units covered:
1.1 Meeting customer needs
1.2 The market
1.3 The business environment
Students will sit and end of unit assessment based on their learning. There will be emphasis on longer mark questions with an accompanying case study.
End of unit tests: 1.2 & 1.2
Markets
A place where buyers and sellers come together to exchange goods and services There is normally an exchange of money at a set price Price is normally set based on market forces i.e. the interaction between demand and supply Markets can be local/global
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Term 2: Theme 1 – Entrepreneurs and Marketing
In this unit, students examine entrepreneurship and the role of innovation in business start‑up and growth. They develop an understanding of how businesses identify opportunities and manage risk. Students are introduced to core marketing concepts, including market research and the marketing mix, and analyse how businesses attract and retain customers in competitive markets.
Sub‑units covered:
1.4 Business behaviour
1.5 Marketing
Students will sit and end of unit assessment based on their learning. There will be emphasis on longer mark questions with an accompanying case study.
End of unit assessments on 1.3 & 1.4
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This unit focuses on how businesses improve performance through effective operational and financial decision‑making. Students explore production methods, quality and efficiency, alongside essential financial concepts such as costs, revenues and break‑even analysis. Quantitative skills are developed to support informed business judgements.
Sub‑units covered:
1.6 Operations
1.7 Finance
Students will sit and end of unit assessment based on their learning. There will be emphasis on longer mark questions with an accompanying case study.
End of unit tests: 1.5 & 2.1
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This unit explores how and why businesses grow. Students examine internal (organic) growth strategies and external growth through mergers and takeovers. They analyse the risks and rewards of growth, assessing how businesses make strategic decisions to increase market share and profitability while maintaining competitive advantage.
Sub‑units covered:
2.1 Business growth
Students will sit and end of unit assessment based on their learning. There will be emphasis on longer mark questions with an accompanying case study.
End of unit test 2.2 & 2.3
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In this unit, students explore how businesses are organised and how people are managed effectively to improve performance. They examine different organisational structures, leadership styles and management approaches, and assess how motivation and employee engagement influence business success.
Sub‑units covered:
2.2 Business organisations
2.3 Motivating people
Students will sit and end of unit assessment based on their learning. There will be emphasis on longer mark questions with an accompanying case study.
End of unit tests: 2.4 & 2.5
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This unit develops students’ understanding of how businesses fund growth and manage finances effectively. Students examine internal and external sources of finance and analyse financial statements to assess business performance. The unit strengthens students’ quantitative and evaluative skills and prepares them for more complex financial analysis in Year 13.
Sub‑units covered:
2.4 Raising finance
2.5 Managing finance
Students will be undertaking a mixture of shorter mark questions as well as extended writing questions in preparation for their Year 12 mock exams
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