Essex school dinners get cashless payment systems

Initially installed at the Philip Morant School the new system has increased the number of pupils using the canteen by 50% and transaction time at the canteen's three tills has got quicker allowing 800 pupils through every 20 minutes. Parents can load the required amount of cash onto their children's school cash cards via ParentPay or credit or debit cards at the school reception. As the process is real time money is available immediately and whenever a transaction is made the amount is then taken from the account. Because the money on the card is only available to spend in the school, parents do not have to worry that the cash they give their children will be spent elsewhere. The cards are also personalised with student images therefore cannot be used by anyone else. Sheila Verrall, catering manager of Philip Morant School explained more: "Parent feedback to the cashless catering system has been tremendous - with some 85% of parents readily adopting the scheme. We've encouraged the remainder to provide packed lunches in order for the school to eventually become totally cashless."