Cookies Policy

SpotCheck Academy Cookies Policy

This Cookies Policy explains how SpotCheck Academy uses cookies and similar technologies on its website and learning platforms, in line with UK data‑protection and e‑privacy rules. It should be read together with the SpotCheck Academy Privacy Policy.

1. What cookies are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet or phone) when you visit a website or access an online learning platform. They are widely used to make websites work, remember user preferences and help providers understand how services are used so they can be improved.

2. Types of cookies we use

SpotCheck Academy uses the following main types of cookies:

  • Strictly necessary cookies
    These are essential for the site and learning platform to function, for example to keep you logged in during a session, manage security and allow you to move around the site and access protected content. They cannot be switched off via our consent tools, although you can block them in your browser (which may stop the site working properly).
  • Preference (functionality) cookies
    These remember choices you make, such as language, display settings or whether you have dismissed certain pop‑ups, so that your experience is more consistent and user‑friendly.
  • Analytics (performance) cookies
    These collect information about how visitors use the website and learning platform, such as which pages are visited most often, how long users spend on pages and whether any error messages are shown. Data are usually aggregated and help us understand which content is useful and where we can improve navigation, usability and educational resources.

We do not use cookies for third‑party behavioural advertising or social‑media tracking as part of SpotCheck Academy’s educational services.

3. Examples of cookies we may set

Depending on the technology platform used, typical cookies may include:

  • Session cookies that maintain your login while you move between course pages and are deleted when you log out or close your browser.
  • Cookies that remember your cookie preferences (for example, whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies), so that you are not asked again on every visit.
  • First‑party analytics cookies (for example from tools such as Google Analytics or equivalent) that help us understand usage trends in an anonymised or pseudonymised way.

Details of specific cookie names, purposes and expiry times can be provided in a separate cookie table on the Academy website and updated as platforms evolve.

4. How we obtain consent for cookies

Under UK rules, consent is required for non‑essential cookies such as analytics, while strictly necessary cookies can be set without consent.

  • When you first visit the SpotCheck Academy website or platform, a banner or pop‑up will explain that we use cookies and will give you options to accept all, reject non‑essential or manage your cookie preferences.
  • You can change your choices at any time using the “Cookies” or “Cookie settings” link provided on the site, which will reopen the preference tool.

Your preferences will usually be stored in a small cookie so that we can remember them on future visits.

5. Managing cookies in your browser

In addition to using our on‑site controls, you can control cookies through your browser settings by blocking, restricting or deleting them. How you do this varies by browser (for example Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox), and guidance is available in each browser’s help section.

If you block all cookies, including strictly necessary ones, some features of the SpotCheck Academy website or learning platform may not function correctly and you may be unable to access certain content or complete courses.

6. Relationship with personal dat

Where cookies collect information that can identify you (for example via a login session or analytics linked to your account), that information may be treated as personal data and will be handled in accordance with the SpotCheck Academy Privacy Policy. Analytics data are typically aggregated or pseudonymised so that we focus on patterns of use rather than individual behaviour.

7. Updates to this Cookies Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time, for example if we change the technologies we use, adopt new analytics tools or need to reflect updated ICO guidance. The latest version will always be available on the SpotCheck Academy website, and significant changes may be highlighted via the cookie banner or platform messages.