How to Set up Your ParentPay Account

To create a new account, you will need to have the account activation letter provided by School. You will also need to be able to access your e-mail as your e-mail address will become your new username and is used for the verification process.

If you have lost your activation letter or not yet received it, please contact the School Finance Office.

Please note, if you have previously had a ParentPay account you should attempt to login to this account and follow the ‘Add a Child’ process, rather than creating a new account.

1. Navigate to parentpay.com
2. Select Login at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Enter the username and password (activation codes) provided in your account activation letter and select Login.
4. Complete the activation as detailed on the screen.

You can now log in to your account.

How to Add a Child

Log in to your existing ParentPay account. Select 'Add a child' on the home page ​ Enter the username and password (activation codes) from the activation letter. Your child's name will be listed, select Add to my account.

How to Top Up the School Lunch Account

Navigate to parentpay.com and log in.

Select the Pay for <child’s name> meals button with the symbol to credit your child’s school meal balance.

Complete the amount you wish to pay (minimum payment £5).

Select Add to basket.

Select View basket and pay.

Review the order summary details and either:
Select Pay Now (please note that the amount you are required to pay will be reduced by any credit you have in your Parent Account balance). Complete the secure checkout. You will be given a final opportunity to review your purchases prior to committing your card payment.

OR

Select Pay using Parent Account (if you have sufficient funds in your Parent Account balance).
You will receive an onscreen notification when you have completed your payment.

What is Parent Account?

Parent Account allows parents to put money into a fund within ParentPay which can then be used to pay for school meals, trips, visits or other items. Parents may also withdraw money from this fund but not after money has been allocated for a specific payment item. Parent Account is an on-line, virtual account entirely within parents’ and not school control.

Please note that topping up Parent Account simply adds money to this virtual account. To make an actual payment, parents need to allocate money from the Parent Account to a specific payment item. (Please be aware that users sometimes think they have paid for a specific item when they have only topped up the virtual Parent Account.)

Any refunds from school will be credited to your Parent Account which parents can use for other payment items or they may withdraw the funds.

How to Pay for Other Items – Credit or Debit Card

1. Log in to your ParentPay account
2. Select the Pay for other items option for a full list of this child’s items for payment
3. Select either View basket and pay or Continue shopping.
4. Once you have selected all your items, your basket and order summary will be displayed. Review the details and select Pay now (please note that the amount you are required to pay will be reduced by any credit you have in your Parent Account balance).

For other items select View details and pay against the item you wish to purchase and then Add to basket.

How to Pay for Other Items – Parent Account

1. Log in to your ParentPay account
2. Select the Pay for other items for a full list of this child’s items for payment
3. You will receive an onscreen notification when you have completed your transaction.

For other items select View details and pay against the item you wish to purchase and then Pay using Parent Account. (please note that if you do not have sufficient funds for all items being purchased in your Parent Account, you will be prompted to pay the difference using a card payment by clicking Pay now).

How to Change a Stored Credit/Debit Card

If you click on Profile > Stored Cards you’ll be able to delete your stored cards. You can change the bank card details during the payment process. When you get to the Secure Checkout, select Edit card / Use a different card.

How Can I See My Current Parent Account Balance?

Once you have set up Parent Account or if you have credit on your account due to a refund, you will see your current Parent Account balance at the top right hand corner of your home page.

Can I have a Single Account for All My Children?

You are able to add up to six active children to a single ParentPay account, even if the children attend different schools (schools must use the ParentPay service).

Follow these steps:

1. Log in to the account you want to use as your main account (this will become the only account you use in future).
2. Select the Add a child tab on the home page.
3. Enter the username and password (activation codes) provided in your activation letter.
4. Select Search.  Your child’s name will be listed on screen.
5. Select Add to my account.

On your homepage you should now see an additional tab for the child you have added to the account.

Repeat this process for any other children you wish to add to your account – up to a maximum of 6 active children per account.

Please note: It is not currently possible to combine accounts that have already been activated.  You will need to manage two separate accounts. Please ensure that when adding a new child using an activation letter you have received, that you add them to your existing account where one exists.

My Child is Moving Schools. Can I still Use My Existing Account?

You can retain your existing account when your child moves to another school that uses ParentPay. You will need the login details provided by the new school in order to transfer your account. If you do not have these please contact the school.

1. Log in to your existing account
2. Select Add a Child on the right hand side of the home page
3. Enter the username and password provided by the new school
4. Select Search
5. Select Add a Child to confirm.

You will now see two tabs for the child, one for each school.

Can a Second Payer Account Be Set Up for a Partner or Ex Partner?

Additional payers can be set up with their own login in order to make payments. Please contact the School and we will be able to arrange the second payer setup after appropriate security checks.

How to Set Alerts Within ParentPay

You can set free e-mail alerts within ParentPay to notify you of a low lunch account balance or new payment items for your children.

You will need to register your e-mail (which you will normally have done as part of the account set up) in the Profile Settings tab at the top of the page. Also register your mobile phone if you wish to receive text alerts.

Please note that e-mail alerts are free to receive text alerts you will need to add credit to your text message balance. You will not be charged for any text alerts sent by school.

Go to the Communications tab and select Change Alert Settings.

You can set your low balance threshold balance. School recommends £5. You have the option to receive e-mail or text alerts by ticking either or both options. If you do not wish to receive alerts untick these options.

Don’t forget to save your changes at the bottom of the page.

How to View Meals and Payments

Simply login and go to the ParentPay home page and click on the links below Lunchtime Meal Activity and Recent Payments.

Forgotten Username or Password

If you know your username and have registered an email address with ParentPay:

Click here and follow the on-screen instructions.

You will then be emailed a link to reset your password (if this link is not clicked within 7 days it will expire and you will need to use the forgotten password link again).

Can’t remember your username or haven’t registered an email address with ParentPay?

If you cannot remember your username (usually your email address), please contact the School Finance Office who will be able to verify the email address linked to your account. You can then use the forgotten password feature on the login page to reset your password.

How Do I Get a Refund?

If you pay for the wrong item, please contact the school and you will receive a refund via Parent Account or an adjustment will be made. Please note that some trip payments are non-refundable if the school has committed costs for travel or other items.

We regret that we are unable to transfer surplus funds from the lunch account for other payment items.

Parents can withdraw funds from the Parent Account themselves at any time.

Balances of £5 or more for Year 11 and Year 13 leavers will be transferred to the youngest sibling after the end of the academic year, refunded via Parent Account or refunded by cheque.

For other leavers or for balances less than £5, refunds will be made at parents’ request.