Lunches & ParentPay

Biometric System

The school meals system is controlled by Live Register biometric technology and provides a cashless environment for meals within the school.  Each student will have their thumbprint taken (if permission has been given) and they will use their thumbprint to buy food in the canteen at break and lunch times.  Students who opt out of the biometric option will receive a pin number.

The advantages of the system to you the parent/carer are as follows:

• Convenience of paying for school meals online, no more looking for change every morning.

• Discourages the misuse of school dinner money through spending in shops outside the school grounds.

• Alleviates many of the associated problems with the use of cash in schools. i.e: loss, theft and bullying. 

• Specific food allergy ingredients can be barred automatically. 

• Healthy eating is encouraged. 

• Queuing times are reduced through increased speed of service. 

• Detailed reports are available to you to see exactly what your child has bought each day.

• Having control of their own accounts teaches students important life skills. 

• A more efficient delivery of service helps the caterer to provide wholesome, healthy and enjoyable school meals at a low cost.

If you wish your child to use the biometric system, you must consent via the Arbor Parent Portal.  Should you wish to opt out of the biometric cashless system then your child will be issued with a pin number which will work in the same way without the need for the thumbprint.

Free School Meals

Students eligible for free school meals will be registered on the same system, (thumbprint or pin number).  You can check whether you are eligible for free school meals by visiting Hertfordshire County Council website at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.

Students on free school meal entitlement can also place additional money on their account.  The free school meal allowance will always be used in full before additional funds are used, however it does not roll over to the next day, it must be used each day.

The meal accounts may be ‘topped up’ using ParentPay, which is our only method of payment for school lunches, trips etc.  A ParentPay link code and instructions are provided separately. 

Packed Lunches

Provision is made for those children who wish to bring a packed lunch to school.  However, no fizzy drinks are allowed (e.g. cola, energy drinks or Lucozade).

Lunch

Students are offered a variety of choices aimed at a healthy balanced diet. There is always a meal of the day option but students can also chose form a selection of sandwiches and pasta dishes. Please see our website for prices and menu: School Meals

During the lunch break students will not be permitted to leave the premises unless we receive a specific request in writing from the parent/carer.  Absenting themselves at such a time will result in a sanction being served.

Chancellor’s School use ParentPay as its online payment system.  This system will allow you to make on-line payments to school using your debit and/or credit card.  You will be able to pay for items such as school trips, dinner money, and music lessons.

Your login details have been sent out as a separate letter and you should have received this in the post, if you have not please email finance@chancellors.herts.sch.uk.

We are sure you will appreciate the clear advantages of this payment method and how easy it is to use ParentPay.  Your child need not bring money to school and you can make payments at a time convenient to you.

A quick guide for parents can be found on the ParentPay website www.parentpay.com.

Please be assured that ParentPay offers the highest security for online payments. If you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact our Finance department at finance@chancellors.herts.sch.uk