Listed here are summaries of benefit points and pupil instructions for using the system, categorised as follows:

• POINTS for PUPILS
• POINTS for PARENTS
• BENEFITS for the SCHOOL and CATERING COMPANY
  

The information provided in these pages will be of interest to all parties concerned with the operation of the system.Some of the information may be of assistance to the School in compiling a newsletter or leaflet for distribution to parents and pupils prior to installation of the IMPACT system.To request this document as a Word file, please contact the following e-mail address

support@crbsolutions.co.uk

POINTS for PUPILS

• Your personal "swipe card" is for your use only. Use it in the canteen to buy only meals for yourself.
• Keep your swipe card safe and bring it to school each day.
• Putting money on your card.
  Before you can buy anything, you must put money onto your card. This can be done in two ways:-
  

1) Use the Reval (Revaluation Unit)
Swipe your card through the slot - your name and balance appear on the screen.
Insert coins - £2, £1, 50p, 20p and 10p only.
Your new balance is displayed.
Press the red button - that's it. Your name and details disappear from the screen.
The value on your card has now been increased by the coins you've just put in.

2) Hand in a cheque or notes from home to the school office. They will add the value onto your card using the computer.

• Checking your balance.
  You can check how much you've got to spend anytime by swiping your card through the Reval - your name and balance appear on the screen. You don't have to put money in - just check it and press the red button to finish.
• Buying your meals.
  Take your food to the till point. Hand your card to the operator. The card is swiped through the machine and the your purchases rung up. Your balance has now been reduced by the price of your meal.
• Free Meals.
  The swipe cards issued to free meal pupils are exactly the same as for anyone else.
  Every day, the computer automatically adds the free allowance onto your card. If it's not all used, the amount left from the allowance is automatically taken off at the end of the day.
  You can add your own money onto your card in the normal way. The free allowance is used up first, then your own money.
• Forgotten your card?
  Tell the office - they will give you a slip to present at the till point. Provided there's money on your card, the price of your meal will be deducted in the normal way.
• Lost/Stolen/Broken/Damaged Cards.
  Tell the office or a staff member straight away - they will put a stop on the old card so no-one else can find it and use it.
  A new card can be issued, but you may be charged for it!
  Keep your card safe.
• Tips to Get Your Meal Faster!
  Bring your card every day
  Make sure you've enough money on your card BEFORE going to the canteen
  Have your card ready to present at the till point
  Any problems - see the office or a staff member at once

POINTS for PARENTS

• Parents can send a cheque to the school office to pay for their child's meals. This cuts out the need for children to carry cash, and ensures that dinner money is used for that purpose.
• If pupils carry cash less often or not at all, theft and bullying are reduced or eliminated.
• Parents can receive reports on their child's eating habits. These can show how much money was paid in and when, how much was spent on food and when, and even detail each individual item purchased.
• Pupils entitled to free meals are given the same cards as everyone else. The stigma which youngsters may feel about free tickets is completely removed.
• The monetary value and information associated with each card relates to that individual pupil only. It cannot be spent or accessed by other pupils unless the card is lost or stolen, when staff should be immediately informed. A stop will be put on lost or stolen cards rendering them unusable.
• Restrictions can be set to prevent your child from buying particular food - very important in cases of allergies or other dietary conditions, or even just to encourage healthier eating.
• By speeding up service in the canteen, pupils get their meals faster and have more time to eat them.
• Encourages self-discipline. Pupils are responsible for their own "canteen debit card" and balance.

BENEFITS for the SCHOOL and CATERING COMPANY

• Speed of service
  IMPACT is the fastest meal registration system currently on the market - operators can register slightly more than eight meals per minute.
• Free Meal Stigma removed
  All cards for all pupils look exactly the same. The computer controls free meal allowance and automatic allocation. Pupils no longer need to obtain meal tickets, and the associated embarrassment is completely removed.
• Greater throughput
  Faster service means less queuing and more pupils served.
• Increased uptake
  More pupils are encouraged to use the faster service, and the increase in the number of free meal pupils taking school meals is normally substantial.
• Increased revenue
  Increased uptake of the meals service generates increased catering revenue.
• Less bullying
  With cash in the revaluation unit rather than in the pupil's pocket, the opportunity for bullying is greatly reduced. If parents pre-pay for their child's meals directly to the school office, the pupil need not carry any cash at all.
• Pupil welfare
  As more pupils use the meal service, fewer pupils leave the school premises. Pupil safety is therefore enhanced.
• Healthy eating
  The bonus-point facility within the system allows for the promotion of healthy eating items.
• Reporting
  Detailed reports are easily generated. Information available includes one-page daily reconciliation, sales detail, revaluation detail (manual and PC), card list, usage (summary and detail), category analysis and sales mix. Detailed usage of the system per individual pupil, timed and dated, is also available.
• Pupil responsibility
  Self-discipline is encouraged as pupils assume responsibilty for their personal "canteen debit card" and balance.