We operate a cashless catering system at Ridgewood.  This system means that lunch and break time queuing time is reduced, as students use their finger template or a pin code for their account which has been preloaded with money to pay for their meal, eliminating the time spent counting out cash and change. In line with current legislation, we operate an ‘opt in’ policy for the biometric system.  If you choose not to have your child registered on the biometric system, a 4 digit PIN code will be allocated. 

Alongside the new cashless catering system, we have introduced a more convenient way to pay for school meals, trips and much more online, using a secure online service called ParentPay. We are actively encouraging all parents to use ParentPay for school meals and trips. Accounts for school meals can be preloaded with money via ParentPay.

New to ParentPay?

You have a secure online account, activated using a unique activation username and password; you will be prompted to change these and to keep them safe and secure as your username and password for future logins.

If you have two or more children at a ParentPay school, you only need to activate one account to create your ‘main account’ and then add your other children via the 'Add a Child' tab on your home page. 

Please visit the Parent Pay website and activate your account via the 'Account Login' area on the home page of the site.​ ParentPay holds an electronic record of your payments for you to view at any point. Once you have activated your account, you can make online payments straight away. 

Already have a ParentPay account?

If you already have a ParentPay account, either with our school or another ParentPay school, you can simply log in to that account and add your other children via the ‘Add a Child’ tab on your home page. You will need an activation username and password to do this.

Free School Meals

Free School Meals

Your child maybe eligible for free school meals if you are receiving one of the following benefits or support:

• Universal Credit - Your annual net earned income must be no more that £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to 3 of your most recent assessment periods.

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and your annual income is below £16,190 (as worked out by HM Revenue & Customs)

• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• parents receiving Working Tax Credit for four weeks after their employment finishes are entitled to free school meals during that period.  This also applies to parents who start working less than 16 hours per week

You are NOT entitled to free school meals if:

• You receive Working Tax Credit except where the 'four week run-on' applies as described above

An application must be made to DMBC before free school meals can be provided. Normally, the parent or guardian of the child makes the request. Please note: you will have to pay for any school meals your child receives before your application has been processed. DMBC will then notify the school if your child is eligible.

You can apply for free school meals up to a maximum of two months before your child starts school.

Please click on the link below for more information regarding free school meals and to apply directly through the council:

Apply for free school meals