Instead of using cash to purchase food and drink, money must be loaded onto your child’s account in advance via the internet or a paypoint in a local shop.
For students who have free school meals – this allowance will be loaded on daily, but you are still able to add extra money if you wish.

No, cash is not accepted at any till.

Your child will be able to use their finger image (like mobile phone recognition) or a PIN code. Obviously the finger image is preferable, as they do not have to remember a code.  In order for your child to use this method you MUST return the attached permission slip (GREEN PAPER) as soon as possible. PIN codes will be issued just before half term to students who do not have permission to use the biometric system.

The digital finger image is stored as an encrypted code – it cannot be used for any other purpose than purchasing food and drink, and cannot be turned into a finger print.

We would suggest that you add money weekly or monthly to your child’s account via an online system – ParentPay. This will enable you to track your child’s balance, and see how much they are spending daily.
You can also use a PayPoint (as you might do for paying household bills) that can be found in many local shops)

Money will be credited into your child’s account in just a few minutes, if you pay by card. To do this:

• Login
• Click the blue “Pay for <child’s name> Meals” button
• Enter the amount you want to credit into the account
• Click add to Basket
• Click on the shopping trolley icon in the top right hand corner
• Pay by Debit/Credit Card

Bank Transfer seems to be a slightly slower process and may take a few days to clear.

At present there is a £5 daily spend limit for all students. Please discuss with your child how they will take responsibility for their spending, and of course, track their spending on the online account.

We will have a full paper based back up system in place, so no child will go without lunch in case of a system failure.

Regardless of the introduction of this new system, regrettably due to past debt recovery issues we cannot provide food or drink in lieu of future payment. Students will not be able to purchase food or drink at the catering outlets unless their catering account is in credit to the total amount of their purchase.

Once students are familiar with the system, this will increase the speed of service in the canteen, as well as avoiding any issues of lost or forgotten lunch money.

If you need help with ParentPay, the best place to start is on the FAQs section on their website – https://www.parentpay.com/parent-account-faqs/.

Should your question not be answered, or you need your account details,
please email us at it-support@woodlands.southampton.sch.uk

If you already have a ParentPay account, either with our school or another ParentPay school, you can simply login to that account and add your other children via the add a child button on your home page. You will need the activation username and password above to do this.

Yes.

If you would like to top up by cash, send an email to it-support@woodlands.southampton.sch.uk to request this, including your child’s name and the school will generate a PayPoint barcode for you which you can take to local PayPoint stores such as petrol stations and corner shops.

Email it-support@woodlands.southampton.sch.uk.

Providing your email address is the one we have on file we will be able to email you through the relevant information.  Failing that we can send it home with your child.

Email it-support@woodlands.southampton.sch.uk to request a biometric consent form or download, print and complete one here.

Only hard copies can be accepted.