Finance & Payments

This section provides important information about the financial aspects of school life, including payment methods for school fees, trips and other activities. We aim to make the payment process as straightforward and transparent as possible, ensuring that parents and carers are well-informed and confident in managing any financial transactions related to the school.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Finance team via finance@winterbourneacademy.org.uk.

We are a Cashless School

To provide a safer and more efficient payment system, our school operates on a cashless basis. All payments for meals, trips, and other school-related expenses must be made online by debit or credit card through the Arbor Payment Parent Portal. This helps streamline transactions, reduce lost cash, and ensure greater security for students and staff. 

 

More information on Arbor is available here: Olympus Academy Trust - Arbor Payment Parent Portal 

How to pay online (including topping up dinner money)

• Log into the Arbor Payment Parent Portal
• If you are logging into the Parent Portal and App for the first time, here is some further information to help get you started: Parent Portal and App - Getting started and logging in – Arbor Help Centre (arbor-education.com)

Break and lunch money

The dining hall uses biometrics, allowing you to add money onto your child's account which is stored against their fingerprint data. Students simply choose their food and scan their finger to pay so they never have to worry about forgetting their dinner money again. 

School trips

Students will receive an essential information form which you must complete and return to Sue.Harris@olympustrust.co.uk or reception. 

Instrument and singing lessons

Instrument lessons are booked directly through the WEMA Music Hub Portal. More information can be found here.

Free School Meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following: 

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods, and your monthly average income over three assessment periods should be no more than £616.67) 
• Income Support 
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit 
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) 
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

 Apply for free schools meals through the South Gloucestershire Council Citizen Portal.

Finance Assistance

We offer financial assistance towards the cost of uniform, trips and music lessons for families who qualify for free school meals, or who have a family income of less then £16,190.00.

To find out more about financial support with uniform, trips and music lessons, please see the Olympus Academy Trust Charging and Remissions Policy

You can apply for financial assistance by completing the Hardship Funding Application form.