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Cashless catering in schools 'allows parents to check child's diet'
19 Jan 2010

Cashless catering is being implemented in a school in Thurrock, Essex in the hope that parents will gain better knowledge of what their child is eating while out of the house. 

The Thorrock Gazette reports that the Ormiston Park Academy will introduce the measure from 2012 onwards.

Parents will be able to request a report of what their child is eating to be sent home each month, enabling them to have a better idea of whether they are consuming unhealthy food.

Tess Walker, headteacher of the school, has welcomed the move. She said: "The system prevents queuing, avoids pupils having to carry cash in school and protects the identity of pupils on free school meals."

It is hoped that the contactless smart card system will be extended to school registration, the library and in providing secure access to the institutional education. 

The sQuidcard can be used to pay for goods in school canteens, allowing the stigma that can be attached to free school meals to be eradicated.