ParentPay

To make it more convenient for parents to pay for school meals, trips, after-school clubs and much more online, we use a secure online service called ParentPay. We, therefore, do not accept cash and cheque payments, except for meals via the revaluation machines.  This helps make the school a cash-free environment. Parents who wish to continue making payments in cash may do so by using the revaluation pay points in school.

To make life even easier, if you have more than one child in our school or children at other ParentPay schools, you can create just one account for all your children.

If you’re unsure of your login details, please contact the school reception via email to office@ipsleyacademy.co.uk or call us on 01527 525725.

How to get started with ParentPay

Once you have received your activation username and password, you can:

• Visit www.parentpay.com
• Enter your activation username and password in the Account Login section of the homepage. These are for one-time use only. You will be prompted to choose your own username and password for future access during the activation process.
• Provide all the necessary information and choose your new username and password – registering our email address will enable us to send your receipts and reminders.
• Once activation is complete, you can go straight to Items for payment, select which item(s) you want to add to your basket and proceed to complete your payment.

The benefit of using the ParentPay system

• Freedom to make payments whenever and wherever you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from your own computer, tablet or smartphone.
• You will have a secure online account, initially activated using a unique username and password. It uses the highest internet security available.
• If you have more than one child at our school or children at other ParentPay schools, you can create a single account login for all of your children.
• Making a payment is straightforward. The system holds a payment history for you to view at a later date. Please note no card details are stored in any part of the system.
• Once activated, you can make online payments straight away.
• We will ask for a minimum payment level in order to optimise management of the system.

FAQ

When can I log into my account?

• Once you have received your activation letter from school with your activation login details, you’ll be able to activate your account and start making payments. This letter will be sent to you soon.

Which cards can I use?

• ParentPay accepts MasterCard, Visa credit cards, Maestro, Switch, Delta, Electron, Solo and Visa debit cards. Some schools may limit the use of credit cards for some transactions; you will be informed by the school directly of any such restrictions.

Is it safe to make payments on the internet?

• Yes – ParentPay uses leading technology to process your card transactions securely. All communication with the bank is encrypted and neither ParentPay nor the school have access to your card details.

How can I check that it is secure?

• Standard website addresses begin with http; the address for a secure site will always begin with https. You will also see a padlock at the bottom/top right of the screen on our login page, and after you have logged into your account, never enter your card details or personal data on any web page host address that does not start with https.

What about our personal information?

• ParentPay holds a very limited amount of information about you and your child solely for the purpose of administering your account; however, ParentPay does not use your personal information other than for supporting the school. We do not share or give information to any other organisations. We operate under strict guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act 1998. ParentPay will NEVER contact you by phone, email or post and ask you to divulge confidential information like passwords or card numbers. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from ParentPay, please contact us immediately on 0845 257 5540.

I don't have a home PC so how can I use Parentpay?

• Why not visit your local library, internet café or see if you can get access to a computer at work?

Cashless catering (Biometric system)

We also operate a cashless catering system, which provides a more efficient, faster and ultimately better quality of service.  This system incorporates the latest technology and eliminates the need for students to carry cash throughout the day, thus reducing the risk of theft. It is also biometric (see Information sheet below), so there is no need for students to carry a card as the system will recognise the thumb of your child at the revaluation pay points and at the tills.

Any amount of money can be paid into a student’s account using the revaluation pay points in school, and any money spent on food & drink will be deducted on a daily basis.

The benefits that the biometric system brings to the school and your child are:

• Specific food allergy requirements can be automatically identified in the system.
• Healthy eating is encouraged.
• Discourages the misuse of school dinner money through spending in shops outside the school grounds.
• Alleviates many of the associated problems with the use of cash in schools, i.e. loss, theft and bullying.
• Queuing times are reduced through increased speed of service.
• Automatic free meal allocation with the student remaining anonymous.
• Students control their own accounts, teaching them important life skills.
• A more efficient delivery of service helps the canteen to provide wholesome, healthy and enjoyable school meals at a lower cost.
• The ability to confirm money paid into the accounts and various other reports on all aspects of the system.

What is biometric?

Biometric is simply a method of identifying an individual.  We will be using an algorithm-based scan, which reads between 50 & 130 points on the finger/thumb.  It is not a fingerprint in any way, shape or form and is only used in the cashless system.

Free school meals (FSM)

Is your son/daughter missing out on money they are entitled to which will increase their chances of success in their education?

If you are in receipt of any of the following your son/daughter may be entitled to free school meals…

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190.00.)
• Working tax credit run-on; paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal credit

…and therefore be entitled to the Pupil Premium

Click here to apply for FSM