Prime Minister Keir Starmer found himself at the centre of an unexpected classroom disruption during a visit to Welland Academy in Peterborough, after enthusiastically participating in the viral 'six seven' phenomenon that has been baffling parents and teachers across the UK.
The Classroom Incident
During a reading session with a young pupil, the prime minister was informed they were on pages six and seven of their book. Seizing the moment, Starmer immediately began performing the distinctive juggling-like dance move associated with the infuriating craze that has captivated schoolchildren nationwide.
The situation quickly escalated as other children in the classroom joined in, creating what witnesses described as hysterical laughter and general mayhem. The visit, which also included Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, took an unexpected turn as the prime minister became an unwitting instigator of the very behaviour that typically lands students in trouble.
The Headteacher's Reprimand
Following the incident, Starmer was promptly confronted by the school's headteacher, Jo Anderson, who reminded him that children at Welland Academy typically face consequences for engaging in the disruptive trend. "You know children get in trouble for saying that in our school?" Anderson questioned the nation's leader.
In a moment that many parents will find relatable, the prime minister offered a swift apology while walking down the school corridor, adding the classic schoolyard defence: "I didn't start it, Miss." He later joked that he might be "put in detention" for his role in encouraging the classroom hysterics.
Origins of the Viral Phenomenon
The 'six seven' trend appears to have originated from Philadelphia rapper Skrilla's 2024 track Doot Doot (6 7), though its exact meaning remains unclear - potentially referencing police radio codes or 67th Street. The phenomenon gained significant traction when the song became associated with NBA basketball star LaMelo Ball, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches tall.
The trend has become what many educators describe as the bane of their existence, with children randomly chanting "six seven" without apparent reason, disrupting lessons and confusing adults unaware of the meme's origins.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the incident, it highlights the ongoing challenge schools face in managing viral trends that capture children's attention. Starmer's visit to Welland Academy, intended to focus on education policy, instead provided an unexpected demonstration of how quickly classroom dynamics can shift when popular culture collides with politics.
