Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Overview

Unit: Mini Business Mavericks (Lesson 1 of 16)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 1 student
Year group: Year 7
Curriculum alignment: National Curriculum for England – Business Studies/Enterprise Education within PSHE and Citizenship framework

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

• Define entrepreneurship and explain what it means to be an entrepreneur.
• Identify key characteristics and skills commonly found in successful entrepreneurs.
• Recognise the basic motivations behind starting a business.
• Reflect on their own entrepreneurial qualities and potential.

Relevant National Curriculum links:

• PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education):
  • Key Stage 3 Economic well-being and financial capability – Understanding how the economy works and the role of enterprise and entrepreneurs (DfE, 2014).
  • Statutory guidance (DfE, 2017): Pupils should understand enterprise skills and what it means to take risks and innovate.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard or paper for mind-mapping
• Entrepreneur Characteristics Card Set (for discussion) – prepared index cards describing skills like creativity, resilience, leadership, communication, risk-taking
• Timer or stopwatch
• Personal reflection worksheet (simple, age-appropriate)
• Examples of young entrepreneurs (brief case studies or photos with captions)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity – What is an Entrepreneur? (5 mins)

• Activity: Begin with an informal discussion: “Have you heard the word entrepreneur before? What do you think it means?”
• Prompt: Write down thoughts on the board or paper.
• Teacher input: Clarify the definition: An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business, often spotting opportunities and taking risks.
• Expected outcome: Student develops a simple, personal understanding of entrepreneurship.

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2. Exploring Characteristics of Entrepreneurs (10 mins)

• Activity: Present the Entrepreneur Characteristics Card Set. Examples include: creativity, determination, risk-taking, problem-solving, leadership, communication.
• Task: The student sorts cards into ‘Important’ and ‘Less Important’ for success in business.
• Discussion: Talk through why certain traits matter. Ask probing questions - “Why might risk-taking be important? Can a business grow without creativity?”
• Link to curriculum: This activity builds understanding of entrepreneurship skills, key to economic and business knowledge in KS3 PSHE.

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3. Real-World Inspiration – Young Entrepreneurs (7 mins)

• Showcase brief case studies of 2-3 young UK entrepreneurs (aged 12-18), highlighting their businesses and traits.
• Task: Student chooses one they find inspiring and explains why.
• Objective: Make entrepreneurship relatable and age-appropriate; foster motivation and ambition.

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4. Personal Reflection – Do You Have What It Takes? (6 mins)

• Activity: Use a worksheet with simple reflective questions:
  • Which entrepreneurial trait do you already have?
  • Which traits would you like to develop?
  • What business idea would you be excited to explore?
• Teacher role: Facilitate the reflection, gently encouraging honesty and ambition.

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5. Recap and Forward Look (2 mins)

• Summary: Review the definition and characteristics discussed.
• Look ahead: Briefly outline that in future lessons they will develop a mini business idea and practise entrepreneurial skills.
• Set a challenge: “Try to spot examples of entrepreneurs or new businesses in your everyday life before next lesson.”

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment through questioning during discussions and card sorting.
• Review answers in personal reflection worksheet for understanding and engagement.
• Teacher provides verbal feedback with encouragement and positive reinforcement.

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Differentiation and Personalisation

• With a single student, adapt questioning depth based on interest and prior knowledge.
• Use visual aids and real-world examples to maintain engagement.
• Allow more discussion time as needed to deepen understanding.

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Extension Ideas (if time allows or for homework)

• Watch a short age-appropriate video clip about entrepreneurship (teacher-led).
• Draw or describe an imaginative business they would start.
• Interview a family member about an entrepreneur they know.

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Teacher Reflection

• Were the student’s understanding and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship evident?
• Did the student identify any traits they want to develop?
• How effective were the real-life examples in inspiring the learner?
• Adjust future lessons to build on interests or address misconceptions.

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This lesson plan supports the skills and knowledge development for young learners within the framework of the National Curriculum’s PSHE and economic well-being goals, fostering early entrepreneurial awareness in a motivating, student-focused way.