To illustrate similarities and differences in lower secondary level mathematics teaching with higher achievers and thereby explore privileging processes, we contrast a teaching episode in Baden-Württemberg, Germany with one in South West England. These have been selected from a larger study as typical within each region for higher achieving students in the school year in which they become 12 years old. These episodes reflect the dominant discourses and recent policy initiatives in each country. Descriptions of the episodes are linked to wider debates about the ways education practices benefit some student groups, and potential areas for further exploration are identified.