Overview

What does the card look like?

On one side the card has the school logo, card number, pupil photograph and name. On the reverse is the OneCard logo.

What can the card be used for?

School OneCards can be used for making cashless catering payments, electronic registration and for access to school buildings.  It is also a visual ID card. Coloured lanyards can be used with the cards to give further identity information (e.g. red lanyards for staff).

What is the number on the card?

The number shown on the card is the unique OneCard number. This number will not be used for schools applications.

The card holds two numbers:

  • The number printed on the card is the OneCard number and used outside the school
  • The chip or card serial number (not shown) is used in the school to identify students to various systems within the school

Is there personal data on the card?

There is no personal data encoded on the card. The software (for example the catering software) uses the chip number to look up personal details stored on the school system.

Using the OneCard

Is money stored on the card?

There is no money on the card. Lost or stolen cards can be disabled. Each time the card is used on the cashless catering system the photo of the student is displayed on the till to guard against fraudulent use. Money is held on an account in the schools system.

Who has access to the account?

The school administration office can view the accounts.

If the school is signed up to ParentPay, this has a secure online payment facility. ParentPay will show parents the last balance on their child’s accounts, so that they see when the account needs to be topped up.

How does the child pay for their meals?

The OneCard is presented at the cash desk and scanned by the cashier. The chip number on the card is linked to an account and the balance deducted for the meal. Pupils with free school meals simply present their card; benefits are allocated to students automatically. Daily spending limits can be put in place to prevent money being spent all in one go.

How can the account be topped up?

The account can be topped up in a number of ways, depending on the systems the school has in place.

  • Payment in cash at a top-up machine in the school (coins and notes accepted) Online via ParentPay (payment accepted via debit/credit cards, bank accounts, and PayPoint).
  • Parents can use this online payment to top up pupils’ catering accounts.

Parents can top up accounts up on a weekly or monthly basis online and the school will set daily spending limits to protect against students spending all the money in one go.

What happens if my child loses or forgets their card?

Children can be issued with a temporary card if the card is forgotten. If a card is lost, a new card will be ordered, and a temporary card used until the new card is issued.  It is important that temporary cards are used only for the minimum amount of time.  They must be returned in order to receive the replacement card.

Further OneCard questions

Is there a charge for the card?

Charging for replacement cards is dependent on school policy. Please contact the school directly for information.

I have heard of the OneCard – what else is it used for?

The OneCard is also being used as a staff card ID and access card for council staff, and by 12,000 council tenants across Waltham Forest for paying rent and council tax.

Will there be other applications on the card?

Waltham Forest council is looking at other applications that can be added to the OneCard in future. If any other application is added to the OneCard there will be full consultation as part of the project to ensure there are no complications.

At present the focus for OneCard is rolling out to more secondary schools, which will give consistency across the borough.