Last Updated: 18 December 2025
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Virtual Academy (“we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website: https://virtual-academy.co.uk/.
By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device. However, you can change your settings at any time (see “How to Manage Cookies” below).
2. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.
3. How we use cookies
We use cookies to:
- Essential Functionality: Keep you logged into your account (as a parent or student).
- E-Commerce: Remember items in your shopping basket and process your orders.
- Performance: Understand how visitors use our site so we can improve the learning experience.
- Safety: Help maintain a secure environment for our younger users.
4. The types of cookies we use
A. Strictly necessary cookies
These are essential for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website, use a shopping cart or make use of e-billing services. Without these, the website cannot function correctly.
- Example: Session ID cookies for user accounts and checkout processes.
B. Analytical/Performance cookies
These allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
- Example: Google Analytics (we ensure these are used in a way that respects user privacy).
C. Functionality cookies
These are used to recognise you when you return to our website. This enables us to personalise our content for you (e.g., greeting a student by name) and remember your preferences.
- Example: Language preferences or “Remember Me” login settings.
D. Targeting cookies (optional)
These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We may use this information to make our website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests.
- Note for children: We do not use targeting cookies to profile children for advertising purposes.
5. Managing your cookies
You can block cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies), you may not be able to access all or parts of our site—specifically, you will not be able to log into the academy or use the shop.
- Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
- Cookie settings in Firefox
- Cookie settings in Chrome
- Cookie settings in Safari
6. Information for parents and children
We take the privacy of our students seriously. We encourage parents to review these settings with their children. Our platform is designed to be a safe space, and we only use the minimum data necessary to provide our educational services.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology or legislation. Please check back regularly for updates.
8. Contact us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at: Email: contact@virtual-academy.co.uk