Some Popular Questions and Answers

Q.How do I credit the account?
A.This can be done in 2 ways: By Cheque, this eliminates the need for pupils to carry any cash. Cheques should be made payable to NAME OF SCHOOL or COUNCIL with bankers card details, pupils name and form on the back. Place in the cheque box in the dining room. By Cash, into the revaluation machines on site. These take £5, £10 and £20 notes, £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p coins – no copper is accepted. There is no minimum or maximum amount that has to be credited to the account before it can be used. (However the account must be in credit to purchase food) *please note the account can go in debit but this is dependent on agreement with the school and the caterer. Debt letters can be sent from the NRS system

Q.Can I still continue to pay by cheque?
A.Cheques are encouraged because it means no cash has to be carried. Cheques should be made payable to NAME OF SCHOOL or COUNCIL Paying by cheque means you know the money is being spent on food and drink within the school.

Q.When can I use the revaluation machine?
A.Before the 1st bell in the morning, at morning break and at lunchtime.Remember to credit your card in advance before purchasing food.This Section is optional for the school to provide as all schools work differently.

Q.How do I check if I have credit on my account?
A.Enter the pin into the revaluation machine and this will tell you the balance on your account.

Q.I am entitled to a free meal, how does it work?
A.The allowance is credited to you each lunch time to allow you to purchase your meal. (This allowance if not used will not carry over to the next day).

Q.Can anyone else use my account?
A.a photo image of each pupil which appears on the tills. This verifies the account holder.

Q.What if my photograph has not been taken?
A.New pupils will have their photograph taken within the first weeks of term. This is Optional for the school.

Q.What happens if I forget my money to credit my account?
A.You will need to see a member of staff to authorise and cover the cost of a meal – this MUST be paid back in full the next day.This is Optional for the school

Q.Can I have any say in what my child eats?
A.The system has a blocking facility that will identify any items the child is not allowed either by choice or dietary needs. This needs to be confirmed in writing by the parent/guardian. Optional for the school

How will ‘healthy eating’ be encouraged?
After the new system has been operating for a while, we hope to enhance the school’s ‘healthy eating policy’. When the food is selected on the canteen server’s keypad, it will also register points for a balanced, healthy and nutritious school dinner. There will be some recognition for the highest scoring students.

What is meant by ‘dietary control’?
Should the student have a specific food allergy, or be a diagnosed diabetic, this medical information can be coded into the system, preventing foods with allergy ingredients from being served to a particular student, by automatically locking out relevant buttons on the keyboard.

Will students have problems in using this system?
Some students may find it difficult to control their accounts for the first couple of weeks, but because of a daily spend limit, most learn this important life skill very quickly and will enjoy being in control of their account.

Will we be able to have any information on how the system is being used?
Reports can be obtained from the system giving comprehensive information on all aspects of use for each individual student as well as each day’s service. These reports can be for a specific day or between any dates you wish, they will be dated and timed to the minute, and can be obtained from the Catering Department.

• To show every item of food served and the total cost of each serving.
• Individual payments made direct to the school by cheque or cash and manually entered into the system.
• Each payment made by cash at the revaluation station by the student and if required, even
• The number of individual coins and the denomination.
• A total overview to show the date, time and location with cost of each purchase value of all manual cheque or cash payments, value of all cash deposited in the revaluation station and current cash balance