Please be aware of some changes to arrangements in managing students’ funds to pay for food in the canteen. These are intended to ensure that students are able to purchase food in the Canteen where parents and carers wish them to be able to do so whilst also ensuring that funds are managed appropriately and students do not enter into debt on any but rare occasions. 

From Tuesday 26 March, a number of new arrangements will be in place, and to support this we ask that parents/carers check the balance on their child’s account and ensure that any debt is paid off before Tuesday. Please do be aware that when you top up from home, this does not necessarily show immediately on your child’s account.  

If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, they are entitled to a meal to the value of £2.50/day. This sum can be used at either breaktime or lunchtime, although students are encouraged to spend the full amount in one transaction on a meal deal to receive the greatest benefit. We understand that some families whose children receive Free School Meals will want to top up accounts so that children can purchase extras. If this is the case, please make sure that top-up payments are made in a timely way, as students with Free School Meals will not be permitted to go into any debt. This is to make sure that families are not put under any additional financial pressure. 

For students who do not receive Free School Meals, the amount of debt they will be permitted will be reduced to £3 at any time. This sum allows students to receive a meal on a given day if a parent or carer has not topped up payments for a couple of days, but students will not be allowed to go beyond this sum. We ask that parents and carers ensure that sums in accounts are kept in credit to ensure that children do not fall into debt.