Online payment system could remove 'stigma' of free school meals

An online payment system for primary school meals is being introduced by the Royal Borough after a successful pilot project.

It is being rolled out after the success of a trial at Furze Platt infant and St Mary’s CE primary in Maidenhead and Oakfield first and Queen Anne first in Windsor.

The council said it was originally planned for a year but the pilot proved so popular it was agreed at the five-month review to go ahead and roll out the new system.

Twenty of the 32 primary schools in the borough have signed up.

Software supplier Tucasi is providing individual demonstrations for the remaining schools to help them decide whether to sign up.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for children’s services, said: "We especially hope that more parents of children entitled to free school meals will sign up because the anonymous transaction will remove the potential for stigma or bullying."

The new system is expected to start after the October half term.

The council also plans to extend the system to middle and secondary schools in the future.