If your child got a B in GCSE maths...

[treasureisland]

...would you tell them that they are 'not very good at maths' ?

No, not at all. B's a good grade and they must have worked hard for it.

I would not
However, I would prob not encourage maths a level.

I got a B at GCSE maths and went on to do A level maths.

Why do you ask? There must be a story here!

What possible purpose could telling them they are not very good serve? However I would also discourage them from a level maths, even if they were choosing between other subjects they got bs in.

It would depend on how far off they were from an A. If they were a few marks off then I'd encourage maths at A level, if they were verging on a C then probably not but it's down to the child to decide as it's their life not mine. If they did want to do maths at A level I'd encourage them to use a tutor too.

I wouldn't tell any child they weren't very good at maths - it's a self fulfilling prophesy. DS1 really isn't but I tell him if he practises his results will improve. I hate it when parents say "Oh I was always rubbish at Maths too" because I think it gives children a "reason" to do equally badly

DS2 is on track for a B. He knows he finds maths easier than DS1 and it's one of his stronger subjects but we try not to define it as good or bad. I'd like him to aim for an A and believe he can do it, rather than settling for a B because he's been told it's good, or worrying that a B is what he's capable of but isn't very good IYSWIM.

I would not. However, I would prob not encourage maths a level.

Sound advice.

(Puzzled as to why you ask)

No way! A B is an above average grade. Seeing as the majority of kids in my year got a C or below and so many people struggle with maths I think a B is a real achievement.

God no!

It's not true and its a pointless, unkind thing to say if that is the full extent of what was said.

B is a perfectly respectable grade, so no, I would not say that at all.

My eldest daughter went to a grammar school though and they considered B to be failure. I heartily disagreed with them there. I never put another child in for the 11+.

Why do you ask?

Ds, is that you?

I wouldn't. B is a good grade!

But (not in response to op, in response to pps) I wouldn't discourage an A level either if they really wanted to. Plenty of people do A levels in subjects they didn't get an A in at GCSE.

I would tell them how fantastic they were, and how they can do Maths A level if they wish.

I Would have been delighted if my 2 had a B grade .
I was pleased they each managed C

"Plenty of people do A levels in subjects they didn't get an A in at GCSE."

They do but not in maths. IMO you have to have found GCSE maths an absolute breeze to have a chance at A level. I got an A at GCSE and scraped a pass, just, at A Level. The step up is huge.

I certainly wouldn't say that but nor would I say they were good at maths. I would want them to retake unless they really couldn't do any better. But maths is a serious thing in my family, it comes naturally to everyone and a B at gcse is really easy.

I would be extremely proud of them!

Plenty of people do A levels in subjects they didn't get an A in at GCSE

There are many tales on MN about dc who have gone into A'level maths with an A, and they have struggled.

The leap is huge and should only be attempted by students who have demonstrated a true flair for the subject. It's not just about hard work.

I wouldn't say it to a child, no, absolutely not.
However, I have a B at GCSE and am not very good at Maths.

I'm not sure how anyone can say that maths comes naturally to anyone. It's a theoretical subject, albeit not particularly complex at the level we're discussing. I presume that failure in it comes from either having it explained poorly or presented in a tedious fashion, neither of which is a rare failing, I'm afraid.

No, I wouldn't - that's not nearly harsh enough. I would force any child who had failed so badly to stand in the street with a sign around their neck stating "I am a moron and have let down my parents very badly."

Why do you ask?

Yes I agree that maths a level is much more of a step up than other subjects. I got an A* at GCSE but I worked bloody hard for it and was not actually talented at maths. I did the A Level but it was a major drama with much tears and feeling like a complete failure. It stretched me to the max, not in a good way. I ended up getting an A, but one mark off a B. For me it really wasn't worth the effort and stress. I would have had a much nicer time in sixth form if I'd done another subject, and Id have especially regretted it if it had made me miss my uni offer. I agree that to do maths a level you should ideally be someone who found GCSE a breeze.

I got an F

All children are different too. A bad grade for one might be the best that another could hope for.

My eldest did get an A in her maths GCSE in the end. Her younger sister (my middle child) who is in year 11, is likely to struggle to get a D. She just isn't as academic, and is totally bewildered by maths. It seems to panic her.

My third child is much more like my eldest. I am sure it makes my middle one feel insecure and under confident anyway, without me saying anything about grades.