Biometric recognition converts physical characteristics into a unique digital signature that can be used to quickly and securely locate your child’s cashless catering account. This helps speed up service and eliminates the requirement to carry cash or an alternative method of access, such as a card that can be lost or stolen.

When the child looks at the camera, the software reads key features (unique patterns or distance between facial features) and compares this against the database of registered users. When it finds a match it automatically opens their cashless catering account allowing the operator to complete the sale of their school meals.

No, the software turns your child’s physical characteristics into an encrypted (using AES 256) string of characters known as a template (no fingerprint image was ever stored). Even if

someone were to be able to gain access to the data and break the encryption, this template does not contain enough information to reverse engineer into a usable image.

When a student leaves school all data can be deleted very easily.

Yes, an alternative method of authentication will be available. Students can be provided with a swipe card to keep with them and use. Please note that a charge of £5 will be made for any lost cards.

If you initially opt-in for your child to use biometric recognition but later change your mind, contact the school and we will remove the permission from the system which will automatically remove any biometric data associated with your child and provide your child with an alternative method of authentication.