Taking a swipe at school dinners

Cards have a daily limit of £4

A Devon community college has introduced a new way for pupils to pay for their school dinners.

In a move thought to be a first in the county, Stoke Damerel Community College in Plymouth has issued pupils with swipe cards.

It means they do not have to carry cash and their parents and the school are also able to monitor what they eat.

The school's business manager, Martyn Cox, says the information can be used in a number of ways.

"The government and Ofsted are absolutely determined, as are we, that we feed young people a balanced and healthy diet.

"This system will allow us to record that," he said.

Each student has been given a plastic photo card and an individual account which has to be kept in credit by parents.

It can also help tackle the stigma of free school meals as pupils who do not have to pay for their lunches have the meal price put onto their card each day.

A daily limit of £4 is applied to all cards.