This privacy notice has been written to inform you about how we process your personal data when you visit our website, and in particular our use of cookies and web analytics.

Gosforth Federated Academies Ltd (Gosforth Group) is a data controller as defined by the UK GDPR. This means that we determine the purposes for which your personal data is processed and how it is processed. We will only collect and use your personal data in ways that are compliant with data protection legislation.

For certain processing involving the use of cookies and insight data collected through the use of widgets inserted on our website, a third-party i.e. Facebook and Twitter, will be a Data Controller in its own right. You can visit their individual websites for their privacy information.

We have appointed Veritau Ltd as our Data Protection Officer (DPO). The role of the DPO is to monitor our compliance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 and advise on data protection issues. If you would like to discuss this privacy notice or our use of your data, please contact Veritau or Paul Simpson, Director of ICT Operations at paul.simpson@gosforthgroup.org.uk

Veritau contact details

Address: Schools DPO Service, Veritau West Offices, Station Rise, York North Yorkshire, YO1 6GA

Email: schoolsdpo@veritau.co.uk

Telephone number: 01904 554025

Web Analytics

Web analytics is the collection and analysis of the data generated when people visit and use a website. This helps the website owner know such things as the number of visitors to various parts of the website, the time they spend on the website and if they return to the website. Various tools are used to produce web analytics, such as Google Analytics, which uses a set of cookies to collect data.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small file of text that may be saved in the memory or storage of your electronic device (computer, phone, or tablet, etc.) when you visit a website. Cookies are used to improve the way the website works and can be used to remember the information you’ve provided so that you don’t have to re-enter it on subsequent pages.

Types of cookies we use

Session Cookies

These are temporary and are removed when you close your browser or leave a website. They are used to remember website visitors as they move from page to page and are typically used for storing your basket when using online shopping.

• Functionality: Helps maintain continuity during your visit. 
• Performance: May support basic analytics during a session. Collect anonymous data on how visitors use the site, helping us improve usability and content.

Persistent Cookies

These remain on your device for much longer, even after you close the browser or restart your device. They remain until you remove them, or they expire, which can be up to 12 months. They are typically used to store information such as your name, language preferences, or login information.

• Functionality: Saves your settings and preferences, enabling core features such as remembering your login details, language preferences.
• Targeting: May be used to tailor content or advertising, track browsing habits to deliver relevant content or adverts. These may be set by us or third-party providers.
• Marketing: Can support re-marketing and ad personalisation to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests, and to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Third-party widgets and cookies

We use third-party widgets (standalone applications embedded into the website, such as a newsfeed or banner) from platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube. These widgets may set their own cookies, which we do not control. These cookies may be used for:

• Marketing: Tracking engagement and ad performance.
• Targeting: Profiling users across platforms for personalised content.
• Performance: Monitoring widget usage and improving integration.
• Functionality: Enabling features like embedded video playback or social sharing.

First-party and third-party cookies

Cookies created by our website are called 'First Party' cookies. Cookies that have been set by parties other than the website owner are called 'Third Party' cookies. This typically occurs when a website incorporates elements from other sites, such as images, social media plugins, or advertising. You don’t have to enable all cookies on your computer or device. You can configure your browser not to accept certain cookies.

What do we use cookies for?

We use cookies so that:

• We can distinguish you from other users of our website and provide a good experience.
• We can remember the information you’ve provided us with while on our website, so you don’t have to keep re-entering the information whenever you visit a new page.
• We can look at how you use our website so that we can improve it for other users.

We do not use cookies to:

• Monitor your usage of other websites (privacy intrusive cookies).
• Collect any personal information about you (without your express permission).
• Collect any sensitive information.
• Pass data to any advertising networks.
• Pass personal data to third parties.

Consent to cookies

When you first visit our website using a new browser, we will provide you with a cookie's permission banner, seeking your consent for the use of certain cookies.

Not all cookies require consent. Those which are needed for the operation of the website, known as ‘strictly necessary’ cookies, do not require consent. Without these cookies, the website cannot work as designed.

We also use other cookies which do not require consent, such as those that enable us to collect information for statistical purposes about how you have used our website, or cookies that allow you to choose the website’s appearance and functions.

Other types of cookies do require consent. These include:

• Advertising or marketing cookies, which are used to target advertising on a website.

You can change your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie banner, but please be aware that opting out of cookies may affect your user experience on our website.

How do I change my cookie settings?

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking Manage preferences. You can then adjust the available sliders to ‘On’ or ‘Off’, then click ‘Confirm My Choices’. You may need to refresh your page for your settings to take effect.

Alternatively, most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

Find out how to manage cookies on popular browsers:

Google Chrome

Microsoft Edge

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Opera

Apple Safari

To find information relating to other browsers, visit the browser developer's website. To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

What is our lawful basis for processing your information?

Under the UK GDPR, it is essential to have a lawful basis when processing personal information. We normally rely on the following lawful bases:

• Article 6(1)(a) - consent
• Article 6(1)(f) – legitimate interest

We only rely on legitimate interests when we are using your data in ways you would reasonably expect.

Copyright

All information on this website, including but not limited to graphics, design, text, and images, is subject to our copyright or a third party that has given permission for us to use the material. We grant permission to electronically copy, print to hard copy, or transfer such material, so long as it is for our business only.

Disclaimer and external links

We make every effort to ensure the content on this website is correct and factual. We accept no liability for any inconvenience or loss caused by reliance on any information contained on this website.

We make every effort to ensure links to external websites are secure. We accept no liability for the privacy practices of those external websites.

What rights do you have over your data?

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to the processing of your data:

• To be informed about how we process your personal data. This notice fulfils this obligation.
• To request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• To request that your personal data be amended if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• To request that your personal data be erased where there is no compelling reason for its continued processing.
• To request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.
• To object to your personal data being processed.

If you have any concerns about the way we have handled your personal data or would like any further information, then please contact our DPO using the details provided above.

If we cannot resolve your concerns, then you may also complain to the Information Commission, which is the UK’s data protection regulator. Its contact details are below:

The telephone helpline (0303 123 1113) is open Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (excluding bank holidays). Alternative methods to report, enquire, register, and raise complaints are available on the ICO’s website here.

Changes to this notice

We reserve the right to change this privacy notice at any time. We will typically notify you of changes that affect you. However, please check regularly to ensure you have the latest version.

This privacy notice was last reviewed on 1st September 2025.

Our website uses the following cookies and third-party widgets

 

Cookie Name	Category	Purpose
CookiesAllowed	Functional	Stores the user's cookie consent preferences (e.g. which categories of cookies are allowed). Remembers whether the user has accepted or declined specific types of cookies, so the site doesn’t prompt them again on future visits.
highvis	Functionality/Performance	If set, this cookie ensures the website is displayed in high visibility mode.
ASPSESSID	Functional	Maintains a user's session state across pages and keeps the user logged in.
Google Analytics	Functionality, Performance and Marketing	Helps identify unique visitors, where they came from, how often they return, duration of visit and session tracking.
YouTube	Functionality, Performance, Marketing and Targeting	YouTube, via Google, uses cookies and advertising pixels to track user interactions, deliver personalised advertising, and assess the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by YouTube and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found at here
Vimeo	Functionality and Performance	We use Vimeo to host and embed video content. Vimeo may use cookies and tracking technologies to analyse user interactions, support video functionality, and enhance user experience. Where possible, we implement privacy-enhancing settings to limit tracking. This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by Vimeo and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
Facebook	Functionality, Marketing and Targeting	When Facebook content (such as posts, feeds, or buttons) is embedded on our website, Facebook (owned by Meta) may set cookies on the user's device. Facebook uses cookies primarily through the Meta Pixel and Conversions API to track user behaviour, deliver ads, and measure performance.  This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by 'Facebook' and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
‘X’ (Formerly Twitter)	Functionality, Performance and Marketing	X uses tracking technologies provided by X (formerly Twitter), including the X Pixel and Conversions API, to monitor user interactions, measure advertising performance, and improve the relevance of our marketing campaigns. This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by 'X' and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
LinkedIn	Functionality, Performance, Marketing and Targeting	LinkedIn uses cookies to enhance user experience, improve site performance, and deliver personalised content, advertising and security. This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by LinkedIn and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
Google Maps	Functionality and Marketing and Targeting	When Google Maps is embedded on a website (e.g. to show a location or provide directions), Google may set cookies that collect user data. These cookies are typically analysis cookies. This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by Google and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
Pitchbookings	Functionality, Performance, Marketing and Targeting	Pitchbooking uses cookies to improve user experience, distinguish users, and support site functionality.   This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by Pitchbooking and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here
Instagram	Functionality, Marketing and Targeting	When Instagram content (such as posts, feeds, or buttons) is embedded on our website, Instagram (owned by Meta) may set cookies on the user's device. Instagram uses cookies primarily through the Meta Pixel and Conversions API to track user behaviour, deliver ads, and measure performance.  This is a 3rd party widget and cookies are set by Instagram and governed by their privacy policy, which can be found here

 

Cookies Used

Necessary

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.