School Catering
School Meals
At Chipping Campden School, students are able to purchase snacks (including sandwiches and baguettes) at break or lunch. A wide range of hot food including pasta pots, pizza and a main meal of the day is available at lunchtime. The food is freshly prepared on site by dedicated catering teams and for main meals there is a 3 week menu cycle in operation. We are firmly committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of our catering. Having the service run by an 'in-house' team means the whole school is able to benefit from the control and cost efficiencies we have over supply contracts and purchasing. From September 2019 Meat Free Mondays will enhance our committment to the environment, along with the many other changes our Catering Manager has made to make our food packaging and food waste less harmful to the planet our children will inherit. Designated eating areas are available for students who prefer to bring a packed lunch into school. Parents are asked to encourage their children to eat healthily, and in particular we would be grateful if you could impress upon them that they should not bring sweets or sugary/energy drinks into school.
Cashless Payment System for School Meals
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.
Cashless Payment System for School Meals
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.
Free School Meals
Parents/Guardians should be entitled to claim a free school meal on behalf of their child/children if one of them is claiming either:- Income Support Job Seekers Allowance – Income based Employment and Support Allowance – Income Related Support under part V1 of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit Guarantee element of State Pension Credit Universal Credit (paper proof will be required) If you believe you are entitled to claim then you will need to fill in this online application form on the Gloucestershire County Council Website. If you need further advice please do not hesitate to contact the school office, ideally via email office@campden.school. It is worth noting that eligibility for Free School Meals is used as the measure for access to other financial support such as uniform costs for new pupils, and for those who continue into the Sixth Form.