Overview
- At Welland Academy in Peterborough, the prime minister joined Year 2 pupils in the viral ‘6-7’ gesture before a teacher reminded him the trend is banned, prompting his apology and the quip, “I didn’t start it, Miss.”
- He later posted the clip to Instagram with the caption, “I think I just got myself put in detention…”.
- The visit, alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, highlighted a policy to extend free school meals to children in households on universal credit from September 2026, estimated to reach roughly 500,000 more pupils.
- Teachers have described the ‘6-7’ fad as disruptive, and several schools have imposed bans; the meme is linked to Skrilla’s track Doot Doot (6 7) and was named Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year.
- The light-hearted gaffe drew wide coverage and attention to its timing ahead of the chancellor’s Budget announcement.