Sir Keir Starmer has apologised to a headteacher after leading primary school children in a version of the viral 6-7 dance meme.
The prime minister visited Welland Academy in Peterborough with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to promote the expansion of the free school meals programme.
During the visit, Sir Keir was reading with Year 2 pupils when one pointed out they were on pages 6 and 7.
He made the juggling hand gesture that accompanies the reference.
As Sir Keir looked around the room at some of the other children who began to join in, he said: “Six-seven, everybody, six-seven, are you doing page six-seven?”
The class then descended into hilarity with all the other youngsters copying, although Ms Phillipson sat in her chair smiling but refusing to join in.
A teacher told the PM: “You know children get into trouble for saying that our in school.
“We are not over that yet, the 6-7, it’s still very much a thing.”
When Sir Keir left the classroom he told headteacher Jo Anderson it had been a “bit wild”, only to be told the dance was banned at the school.
He then said sorry to her, insisting: “I didn’t start it, Miss.”
The Labour leader uploaded a video of his antics to Instagram, with the caption: “I think I just got myself put in detention...”
The phrase “6-7”, which has been infuriating teachers and some parents across Britain for months, first gained popularity with Generation Alpha.
The viral sensation was even named Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2025.
According to experts, it is thought to have originated from a song called Doot Doot (67) by US rapper Skrilla to describe the height of basketball players including 6ft 7in Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.
Its actual meaning is unclear, though some say it means “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that”.
However, Merriam-Webster describes it as a “nonsensical expression used especially by teens and tweens”.
