Lunchtimes

The Refectory

We believe that lunchtime is an important part of the day and providing a well-balanced meal that promotes health and wellbeing both inside and outside the classroom. our mission is to provide healthy nutritious meals for everyone.

Our in-house catering team work very hard to maintain a high standard of meals using the best quality ingredients. Striving to ensure that our menus follow the Department for Education’s School Food Plan which focus on actions to improve the health and academic performance of our young people. Meals are produced fresh daily by our highly skilled team, using locally sourced and seasonal produce wherever possible.

Please see our sample menu below.

Week 1 Menu

Week 2 Menu

Week 3 Menu

Our Cashless Catering System

Neston High School operates a fully cashless catering system giving parents the freedom to top up their child’s catering account online at a convenient time for them. The additional benefit of a cashless system is that students who are entitled to a free school meal have their allowance uploaded automatically each day and their entitlement remains anonymous.

Accounts can be topped up online through our secure online payments portal www.scopay.com/Neston. More information about how biometrics works is available below, please click 'Further Biometric Catering System Information'

There are seven counters serving a variety of healthy food and drinks from plated hot meals to specialty sandwiches. Students within walking distance of school are allowed to go home if they have written permission from their parents.

Free school meals allowances are uploaded onto the system every morning with the option to top up extra amounts if parents wish to do so. The system is set up for biometric identification at the till point with the option for students to use a smart card if they prefer not to use the biometric element. It is necessary for parents to agree to the biometric system via the parent portal.

Please click below to read about Cashless and Biometric Catering Systems.

Further Biometric Catering System Information

Further Biometric Catering System Information

At Neston High School we use a voluntary biometric recognition system at the School for the cashless catering system.

We find this provides the School with a number of very significant benefits including:

Students do not have to remember to bring a card
Reduction in administration time and cost dealing with lost or forgotten cards
Reduction in the need for cash handling
Reduction in queuing time

In order to comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulations 2016, we need consent from a parent in order for students to use the biometric system. Consent is given via the parent portal.

If you would like more information or to discuss this further, please contact the School Business Manager on 0151 336 3902 x340

When your child ceases to use the biometric recognition system, his/her biometric information will be securely and permanently deleted by the School.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PARENTS

Background to the use of biometrics in School:

For the sake of clarity, biometric information is information about someone’s physical or behavioural characteristics that can be used to identify them. There are many possible biometrics, including for example,
a digital photograph, fingerprint, or hand shapes. As part of our identity management systems, we currently record a biometric measurement taken from a finger, but not a fingerprint image. The information is stored in a highly secure database and is only used by the School to confirm who is using a range of services. In future we may use other biometric services where appropriate i.e. library management, printing, door access
and e-registration. Our chosen solution allows us to use a secure database holding biometric data for use with a range of services; this means we store the least amount of data possible. This reduces the risk of loss of data. The data that is held cannot be used by any other agency for any other purpose. The School will not use the biometric information for any purpose other than that stated above. The School will store the
biometric information collected securely. The School will not share this information with anyone else and will not unlawfully disclose it to any other person.
If you do not wish your child to use the biometric system or your child chooses to use an alternative form of identification, such as an Identity Card, we will provide reasonable alternative arrangements that allow
them to access current and future services. Should you agree to your child using the biometric system, it is important that you return the signed consent form below as soon as possible. Please note that when
he/she leaves the School, or if you choose to withdraw permission for your child to use the biometric system, his/her biometric data will be permanently deleted.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please contact Mrs Phillips, School Business Manager.

Free School Meals

To check if your child is entitled to free school meals and to register, please visit Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

Packed Lunches

If you wish your child to bring a packed lunch then this should be eaten in the Refectory or one of the designated areas in school for packed lunches. The school does not allow students to bring fizzy or high energy drinks to school and these will be confiscated.