Meals

Our menus are designed with student tastes in mind, while ensuring all meals are nutritious and fully compliant with government guidelines.

Cucina, our dedicated catering partner, serves a wide variety of fresh and balanced dishes each day – from hearty main meals to lighter ‘grab and go’ options such as sandwiches, wraps, and salad pots. The menus include familiar favourites alongside exciting new flavours, with regular themed and Celebration Days to keep things fresh and fun.

Start the Day Right – Free Breakfast for All Students

All students can enjoy a free slice of toast each morning to help them start the day with energy and focus.

There’s also a range of affordable ‘Cheap Eats’ available from just £1.05 – including cereal, croissants, pancakes, and a tasty hash brown & baked beans combo.

Click here to view our Free Breakfast information.

Free School Meals

Your child may be eligible for free school meals. Even if they choose not to take up the meals, applying is still important. For every student who is registered, the Academy receives additional funding – up to £1,300 per year – which helps us provide extra support such as tuition, resources, and tailored interventions. You can verify your eligibility here.

Your child can get a free school meal if you receive any of the following:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (as long as you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don't get more than £16,190 a year)
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits you get).

Cashless Payment

Barclay Academy operates as a cashless school, using a secure online system 'My Child At School' for all meal payments. This platform allows you to easily top up your child’s account, ensuring they can access nutritious meals throughout the day to support their well-being and concentration. Please remember to keep your child’s account topped up to help them stay focused and ready to learn.

To access the My Child At School website, please click here.

Cashless Payments FAQs

How does the biometric recognition work?

To register on the system the student places their finger on the fingerprint reader. The system reads certain key measurements from the finger and converts these into a unique number with over 100 digits. This number is stored on the system on the student’s account. It is important to note that no image of a fingerprint is stored, only the unique number. This number cannot be converted back to any measurements or fingerprint image.

What will the personal data held in the system be used for?

The data will only be used for the implementation and operation of the cashless catering system. Data will not be passed to third parties except where necessary for the implementation of the system. Data will be deleted from the system when a student leaves the Academy.

Do I need to give consent to the processing of data?

Most of the data used in the operation of the cashless system is already held by the Academy and has been provided by the parent/guardians or student e.g. name, tutor group, free school meal entitlement. Biometric data is the only new information that is required for the operation of the cashless system. The written consent of at least one parent must be obtained before the data is taken from the student and used. This applies to all students in schools and colleges under the age of 13.

If a student or parent wishes, they can withhold consent, in such circumstances a card will be issued which can be used to top up and access the student’s account in the same way as using the student’s finger.

How do free school meals work?

Each student who is eligible for free school meals will automatically receive a credit on their account each day (subject to change each academic year). They can use this to purchase a meal from the restaurant. The credit will only be available to spend that day on free school meal items. Children receiving free school meals are not distinguishable from children paying with their own money.

My child receives free school meals but I want to give them some extra money. Can I still do this?

A free school meal student’s account can be topped-up in the same way as any other, using My Child At School (MCAS). Topped-up funds can be spent when the student chooses, either at break or lunch.

What will happen if my child's free school meal entitlement has expired?

It is the parent’s responsibility to apply for free school meals. To apply for free school meals, the parent needs to go online to the Hertfordshire Grid at: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Schools-and-education/At-school/Free-school-meals/Free-school-meals.aspx#DynamicJumpMenuManager_1_Anchor_3

How do I pay over the internet?

Payments over the internet can be made using the My Child At School (MCAS) facility. Payment can be made by logging in and making a payment by credit or debit card. You can add any amount to your child’s account. The payment registers immediately and you can see the transaction. The balance on the account is updated overnight to the dining room system. The My Child At School (MCAS) system is also used for Music fees and Trips.

I want to top up once per term but I don't want my child to spend all money straight away.

The system has a limit of £5 per day for each student to spend. If you wish this to be changed, please let the school office know.

How will the student be able to check the balance on their account?

By placing their finger on the revaluation station, their current balance will be displayed. The till display will show the account balance after each purchase. Parents can view the balance by logging into your My Child At School (MCAS) account. This shows the account balance at the end of the previous day.