ParentPay
In the Senior School, we are moving to a cashless payment system to enhance the efficiency of our catering operations. This system, known as ParentPay, allows for secure online payments for breakfast items, break-time snacks, the tuck shop, and the Sixth Form Cafe.
Parents will receive an activation email shortly with their unique username and password for accessing the ParentPay system and detailed instructions on using it, including adding funds to their child’s account.
Each student will use their Lingfield College Student Card to make payments for their purchases. The card can be easily topped up by funds added through ParentPay.
Why ParentPay?
ParentPay offers numerous benefits that improve the overall experience for students and parents. We streamline our catering services by eliminating the need for cash transactions, making operations smoother and reducing administrative burdens. ParentPay also gives students and parents greater control over spending and a clearer view of food choices. Parents can easily monitor what their children purchase, ensuring healthier and more responsible eating habits.
Benefits of ParentPay
- Convenience: Make secure online payments anytime and anywhere, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Funds can be loaded onto ParentPay via phone or computer at your convenience.
- Security: Enjoy the highest level of internet security. Financial transactions are safe, and no payment details are stored in the system.
- Account Management: Parents will receive a username and password for account access in their activation email; detailed instructions on using the system, including adding funds to their child’s account, are below. If you have more than one child, you can merge their accounts into one login for ease of use.
- Easy Payment Process: Making payments is straightforward. Once you’ve activated your account, you can start adding funds immediately by clicking the tab 'Pay for other items' and 'Senior School Catering'. Funds are instantly loaded onto the student card through one-click payments, ensuring they are available when needed.
- Live Balance Updates: View the current balance anytime and receive automated email/SMS alerts to notify you if you have low funds.
- Full Payment History: Parents can review a complete transaction history, which provides insight into their child's food choices.
Student Safeguarding
- Improved School Security: By avoiding the necessity of bringing money to school, we reduce the risk of cash being lost or stolen.
- Missing Cards: If a card goes missing, it can be deactivated immediately by notifying the Senior School or Sixth Office. Pre-imposed parent spending limits further limit the liability of lost cards.
- Lost Cards: We will ensure all students have a current student card at launch. Replacement cards after this date will incur a £5 charge.
Spend Limits and Monitoring
- Controlled Spending: Students can purchase food only for their own consumption. Pre-set spending limits are available at most locations to help enforce this rule. Due to the volume of students and time constraints, we cannot pre-impose spending limits during the break time, though staff will monitor spending as best they can.
- Photo Identification: Our catering staff will monitor spending at all points of sale. Security measures, such as secondary photo identification, are in place at all locations except during Senior Break.
How to get started with ParentPay?
Our finance department will send you your account activation details via email. Once you receive these:
- Visit www.parentpay.com
- Enter your Activation username and password in the Account Login section of the homepage. NB. These are for one-time use only; during activation, please change your login credentials upon first access to keep your account safe.
- Provide all the necessary information and choose your new username and password for your account. Registering your email address will enable us to send you receipts and reminders.
- Once activation is complete, select the payment item "Senior School Catering" to ensure the funds are added to your child's card.
- You can add multiple children to the same ParentPay account using the add a child button on your home page.
- Finally, don’t forget to set up Alerts so you receive an email/SMS when your balance is low or there are new items to pay for.
Setting Up a Quick Link
There is no ParentPay app, but a shortcut can be added to your phone by either (Android devices) clicking on the 3 dots at the top of the screen or (Apple devices) clicking the share button (square with arrow) and then Add to Home Screen.
More Information
The Finance Office can assist with most queries (authorisation codes for new users, viewing account details, etc). Please email finance@lingfieldcollege.co.uk. However, we cannot make fundamental changes to accounts as they are private between the user and ParentPay.
For more information, visit www.parentpay.com/parents/
Helpful Tips for Parents
ParentPay Help Pages
Please use the following link: https://www.parentpay.com/parent-faqs/#help
Here are some online guides for mobile users: PP - Payer Guidance - ParentPay Group (wistia.com)
This link shows how to move a balance from a Parent Balance to a payment item. How to pay using Parent Account balance (wistia.com)
Please find below a list of guides for desktop users:
More information
The Finance Office can assist with most queries (authorisation codes for new users, viewing account details, etc). Please email finance@lingfieldcollege.co.uk. However, we cannot make fundamental changes to accounts as they are private between the user and ParentPay.
For more information, visit www.parentpay.com/parents/
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I log in to my account?
Once you receive your activation email from the school with your login details, you will be able to activate your account via ParentPay. We will notify you when we go live, and you can make payments after that date.
Which cards can I use?
ParentPay accepts MasterCard, Visa, and American Express credit cards as well as Maestro, Switch, Delta, Electron, Solo, and Visa debit cards.
Is it safe to make payments on the internet?
Yes. ParentPay uses leading technology to process your card transactions securely. All communication with the bank is encrypted; neither ParentPay nor the school can access your card details.
How can I check that it’s secure?
Standard website addresses begin with http, but the address for a secure site will always begin with https. After you have logged into your account, you will also see a padlock at the bottom or top right of the screen on our login page. Never enter your card details or personal data on any web page whose address does not start with https.
What about our personal information?
ParentPay Limited and its group companies fully comply with the Data Protection Law, Including the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The ParentPay Terms and Conditions include a Data Processing Agreement (DPA), compliant with the GDPR, which details both parties’ obligations relating to Data Protection. https://www.parentpay.com/schools/school-terms-and-conditions/ The ParentPay Privacy Notice, which is available to end users, provides further information on the processing activities undertaken by ParentPay. https://www.parentpay.com/privacy-policy/
ParentPay will NEVER contact you by phone, email, or mail or ask you to divulge confidential information like passwords or card numbers. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from ParentPay, please contact ParentPay immediately on 02476 994 820
Further Information
The Finance Office can assist with most queries (authorisation codes for new users, viewing account details, etc). Please email finance@lingfieldcollege.co.uk. However, we cannot make fundamental changes to accounts as they are private between the user and ParentPay.
For more information, visit www.parentpay.com/parents/