Education officials are reporting significant improvements at lunchtime in three secondary schools as a result of an upgraded Cashless System which will now be rolled out across North Lanarkshire Council.
Clyde Valley, Bellshill Academy and Our Lady's High School in Cumbernauld recently benefited from a £75,000 upgrade of the cashless system introduced to secondary schools to encourage students to uptake free meals.
The new system allows pupils to use their National Entitlement Card or four digit pin number at the newly purchased touch-screen computerised tills. This allows pupils to go through the canteen quickly and reduces the stigma associated with free and paid meals. Pupils can also be recognised through photo recognition.
Parents and pupils are benefiting through the location of revaluation machines situated within the schools which allow school meals to be paid in advance. And school staff have seen are reporting shorter and faster queues at lunchtime.
North Lanarkshire Council's overall objective is for an increased turnover and an increase in the uptake of free meals. The Council's aim to reduce lunchtime queues will encourage more children to remain in school during lunch thereby enabling Education officials to promote healthier eating.
For further information please contact:
- Katrina Foley
- Principal Officer
- Learning and Leisure Services
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Municipal Buildings
- Kildonan Street
- Coatbridge
- 01236 812268
- Email: FoleyK@northlan.gov.uk
