In common with most secondary schools in the UK, we operate a cashless payment system for food and drink purchased from our canteen and 6th form Refectory. Students and staff who wish to make purchases need to deposit money into their online account either through the ParentPay website or via a machine located in the annex next to the hall. Payment is made by drawing on their deposited money through identification by a biometric identifier (finger print scan). There is a spend restriction for years 7 -11 of £5.00 per day on each account. For some students this may need to be adjusted and it is possible to request an increase or decrease in this set daily limit. Where possible students and parents are encouraged to top up the online account on a weekly basis or longer, rather than each day in order to reduce unnecessary queues at the cash top-up machine.

The biometric identification system is used in numerous schools and is endorsed by the DfE. It uses one of the fingers to uniquely and quickly identify each student and member of staff. The system measures many aspects of the finger to do this. Each person who wishes to use the catering services at the school has their finger scan registered, which will then be translated into a unique identification code. The system does not store an image of the fingerprint. The biometric system negates the need to carry cash and enables quick efficient purchasing. Instructions (including PIN code and details on how to access ParentPay) are issued to each individual when they have been registered as users of the cashless system. Parents are also able to monitor their child’s spending on food items via the online account, and see the sort of purchases they have been making in the dining hall. Staff and students who do not consent to providing biometric information but wish to be able to make purchases from our canteens can be allocated a swipe card instead, which operates in the same way, but these are vulnerable to being lost or stolen.