Biometrics opt in form: https://forms.gle/VkasDrYM21Evpk6g7
Scopay link: https://www.scopay.com/login.html
What is a cashless system?
The cashless canteen service has a number of benefits to our school community, including:
- Allows a faster speed of service through the canteen
- Keeps Free School Meals anonymous
- Ensures that dinner money is spent on its intended use
- Will provide parents with information as to what their child is purchasing
- A trusted secure solution that is simple and easy to use.
A Cashless Catering System is a solution which is purpose designed to meet the ever evolving needs and demands of the catering provision. The cashless solution allows schools to be better able to provide their students and staff with a faster, more efficient and more appealing meal service.
Registering for school meals online
In order to pay for your child’s school meals online, you will need to have registered for the scopay online payment system.
If you don’t have a scopay.com account
Please contact the finance department at school, either by calling 01942 727391 and choosing Option 4, or by sending an email to finance@cansfield.wigan.sch.uk.
If you already have a scopay.com account
If you already have an existing account (for example, for your child/ren at this or another school using Tucasi secure scopay.com system), log on to your account using your existing username and password. Select the Link Accounts option from the Your info menu heading and enter the unique online link code (available from the school finance office) to add your account.
How it works
The canteen operates terminals which have built-in readers. When a student purchase items from the canteen they will collect it in the usual way, and proceed to a till. At this point, they will simply place their finger on the reader. The software will recognise the student, and automatically deduct the value of the items from their account.
Canteen spend limits
To ensure students cannot spend all of the money in the canteen from their account on a single day, there is a spend limit of £5.00 per day. This can be increased or decreased on request by contacting the school.
What if a student does not hold sufficient balance to pay for a school dinner?
There is no overdraft facility on our system, so students MUST have sufficient money on their account to be able to pay for their school dinner. If a student finds themselves without sufficient funds, they should go immediately to their Pastoral Manager and explain the situation.
Students entitled to free school meals
Any students entitled to free school meals have their accounts automatically credited each day with the free school meal allowance. However, any underspend or missed dinner will be identified by the system and will not be added to the next day’s balance.
Revaluation Machine
The school has one revaluation machine where students can top-up using cash or notes if they wish. This is sited in the main building close to student reception.
Biometric Recognition
We shall shortly be introducing a facial recognition biometric method which students will use to make purchasesfromthecanteen. Wehavepreviouslyusedafingerprintbiometricmethodbutarenowmoving into a new phase of technology and will be using a facial recognition system.
Please find below some frequently asked questions and a link to the online form you need to complete.
Why are you using biometric recognition?
Biometric recognition converts physical characteristics into a unique digital signature that can be used to quickly and securely locate your child’s cashless catering account. This helps speed up service and eliminates the requirement to carry cash or an alternative method of access, such as a card that can be lost or stolen.
How does it work?
When the child looks at a camera, the software reads key features (distance between facial features for facial recognition) and compares this against the database of registered users. When it finds a match it automatically opens their cashless catering account allowing the operator to complete the sale of their school meals.
Can these biometrics registrations be used by any other agency?
No, the software turns your child’s physical characteristics into an encrypted string of characters known as a template. Even if someone were to be able to gain access to the data and break the encryption, this template does not contain enough information to reverse engineer into anything which is usable.
What happens when my child leaves the School?
When a student leaves school all data can be deleted very easily.
I don’t wish to give permission for my child to participate with biometric recognition, can my child still purchase school meals?
Yes, an alternative method of authentication will be available.
What if I change my mind?
If you initially opt-in for your child to use biometric recognition but later change your mind, contact the school and we will remove the permission from the system which will automatically remove any biometric data associated with your child and provide your child with an alternative method of authentication.
Biometrics opt-in form
Please complete the online OPT-IN form as soon as possible. Link at the top of this page.
