Sheldon School | Register my card | FAQs

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A Guide to sQuidcard for Parents/Guardians and Pupils
School Cashless Catering System.

About sQuidcard

How does sQuidcard work?
sQuidcard uses the latest contactless card technology.  Each card has a unique security number that is linked to a specific eMoney account.  When you make a purchase, the card reader scans the encrypted code and will either accept or reject the payment, depending on the available funds.  This all takes less than three seconds.

Is a sQuidcard like a bank debit or credit card?
No, you can’t get into debt with a sQuidcard, you can only spend what’s loaded onto the card. sQuidcards are contactless, you simply hold the card over the reader and the transaction is completed, there is no chip or pin required.  To use a sQuidcard you must pre-load money onto the card using the internet or add funds at the school Admin Office.  

What personal information will be printed on the card?
The card will be printed with the student’s name, graduation year (i.e. Class of 2011) and the school name.

 

My personal sQuidcard

How much does it cost?
The first sQuidcard will be issued free, but there will be a charge for any replacements (currently £3).  There is no charge for using sQuidcard.

I don’t have access to the internet, can I still use my sQuidcard?
Yes, you can load your card by sending a cheque with your child (made payable to Sheldon School) to the Admin Office at school where the credit will be added to the card.

I don’t have a bank account, can I still use sQuidcard?
Yes, you can add credit to your card by bringing cash to the Admin Office where the money will be loaded onto your card.

What if you are entitled to Free School Meals?
The sQuidcard will be loaded automatically with credit for students who are eligible for free meals.  This will be done on a daily basis and any left-over funds will be wiped off at the end of the day.  The cards will look the same for all students, so students who have Free School Meals (FSM) will remain anonymous.  You can still add funds to your card in the usual way.  This additional amount will remain on the card until it is spent.

What if I am a new student and am waiting for the card to be issued to me?
Until your card has been issued to you, you can use vouchers that are obtainable at the school reception. You will be credited any amount that you spend on your card when you receive it.

 

Using sQuidcard

I have received my card – how do I activate it?
You just need to register your card by clicking here or visiting the school Admin Office. 

How much can I spend with my sQuidcard?
We have asked parents and found that £4 seems to be a desired limit for a maximum spend. We have therefore set a £4 limit for each transaction.

How does my sQuidcard work?
Instead of paying with cash, tap your sQuidcard against the reader to pay for your transaction. You should check the balance on the screen is correct before doing this.  Your sQuid account will be debited straight away and details of the transaction will be displayed on your online statement.

How long does it take to make a payment using sQuidcard?
A sQuidcard transaction takes less than three seconds.

What if I have forgotten to bring my sQuidcard to school?
If you forget to bring your sQuidcard to school, please go to the Admin Office with your planner and you will be issued with a meal ticket that will allow you to obtain a school meal.  They will make a note of this in your planner and the value of the ticket will need to be repaid the next day using your sQuidcard.  You will need to return to the Admin Office to do this.

I have just loaded money onto my account. How long does it take before I can use it?
After you load the card online, you will immediately see the uploaded value shown as pending balance.  The pending balance is available at the canteen within an hour and is transferred onto the card by presenting the card at the terminal.

What if I forget to top-up my account?
Please follow the same procedure as if you have forgotten to bring your sQuidcard to school.

 

My sQuid account

What if I have more than one child in the school?
You will need to create separate accounts for each child with their individual card registered to each one.  We suggest you make the sQuid account ‘Username’ child specific.

How do I load money onto my sQuidcard?
You can top up your sQuidcard account online by logging into your account, setting up a standing order  or via the school Admin Office.

How do I set up a standing order?
To set up a standing order please contact us and we will send you the necessary details.

How much money can be loaded onto my sQuidcard?
The maximum balance for a sQuidcard is £100 but we recommend a limit of £20.

How can I check my balance?
You can check your sQuidcard account balance online, or by presenting your card at any of the schools sQuid readers.

Can I get into debt with a sQuidcard?
No – it’s a prepaid system. You can only spend what you have loaded onto the card.  You cannot get into debt with sQuidcard.

What happens when I leave the school, will I get a refund of any outstanding balance?
Yes – if you have registered your sQuidcard, sQuid will make a full refund of any balance over £5.  The refund will be sent by cheque to your home address.  sQuid reserve the right to charge a small fee for refunds.

How do I keep track of my payments?
You can view your current balance and any transactions online at any time.  You will need to register your card in order to do this. 

How do I update my personal details?
You can update your details at any time. Sign into your sQuidcard account and click on the ‘My Details’ link. 

Will my sQuidcard expire?
No – your card does not have an expiry date.

Why is my sQuidcard not working?
You may have to load more cash onto your card or your card has been registered as lost or stolen. The Admin Office will be able to help you with any problems you may have with your card.

In what circumstances will you cancel my card?
Your sQuidcard will be cancelled if it is ‘hotlisted’ – if it has been reported as stolen or lost.  We may also block the card if we detect potential misuse or fraudulent activity on the card.

What should I do if I lose my card?
If your card has been lost, please report the circumstances at the Admin Office straight away.  A replacement card can be ordered but it will take about a week to arrive.  The cost of the new card will be charged to you via your sQuidcard (currently £3).  When the replacement card arrives, the Admin Office will let you know that it is ready for collection. In the meantime, you will be able to obtain meal tickets from the Admin Office on a daily basis.  Your old balance can then be transferred over to your new card.

Replacement Cards
If you have received a replacement sQuidcard, you will need to register it under a new account. You will need a different username to your previous one, however all other security information can be the same as before.

 

sQuid security

Do I need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorize the payment
No, a sQuidcard is a contactless, secure, smart card. It does not need a signature or Chip and PIN to authorize the payment.

Is my money safe?
sQuidcard is safer than cash. If you lose a twenty pound note you are unlikely to see it again. If you lose your registered sQuidcard you can notify us and we will send you a replacement and transfer your balance to the new card.

How secure is this system?
sQuidcard uses sophisticated fraud prevention and detection processes and conforms to the FSA Regulatory Requirements.  Each card reader is protected by a unique security application module that creates a trusted transaction environment.  Transactions from readers are encrypted and routed over public  networks to the sQuid host environment in a highly secure manner.

How secure is my data and the sQuidcard site?
All sQuid data and yours is hosted on a secure web hosting platform. All of the data we collect on your behalf is bound by our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.