Cookies Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookies Policy explains how Sky High Training ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides further information about how we collect and use personal data.

Company Details:
Sky High Training
Blackburn, United Kingdom
Email: info@skyhightraining.co.uk
Phone: 0752 182 2227

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

2.1 How Cookies Work

When you visit our website, cookies are downloaded to your device. These cookies enable the website to recognize your device on future visits and remember certain information about your preferences or actions.

2.2 Types of Information Collected

Cookies may collect various types of information, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website
• User preferences and settings
• Login status and session data

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use different categories of cookies on our website. Below is a detailed explanation of each category in accordance with ICO guidelines:

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are essential for the operation of our website. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Legal Basis: These cookies do not require consent as they are strictly necessary for the provision of services you have requested.

Examples:

• Session cookies: Maintain your session as you navigate the website
• Security cookies: Authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use
• Load balancing cookies: Distribute traffic across servers
• Cookie consent cookies: Remember your cookie preferences

Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 1 year for security purposes

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

Purpose: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often and whether users receive error messages. This helps us improve website performance and user experience.

Legal Basis: These cookies require your consent before being set.

Examples:

• Google Analytics: Tracks visitor behavior, traffic sources, and page views
• Hotjar: Records user interactions to identify usability issues
• Performance monitoring: Detects and diagnoses technical issues

Data Processing: Google Analytics data is anonymized (IP anonymization enabled) and stored in accordance with GDPR. Data is retained for 26 months.

Duration: Up to 2 years

3.3 Functionality Cookies

Purpose: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your language preference or region) and provide enhanced, personalized features.

Legal Basis: These cookies require your consent before being set.

Examples:

• Language preferences: Remember your selected language
• Location settings: Store your preferred training location
• Accessibility settings: Remember text size or color contrast preferences
• Video player settings: Remember volume and playback settings

Duration: Up to 1 year

3.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Legal Basis: These cookies require your explicit consent before being set.

Examples:

• Google Ads: Display targeted advertisements
• Facebook Pixel: Track conversions and retarget visitors
• LinkedIn Insight Tag: B2B marketing and analytics
• Remarketing pixels: Show ads to previous visitors

Third-Party Sharing: These cookies may share information with advertising networks. You can opt out of targeted advertising through the links provided in Section 7.

Duration: Up to 1 year

3.5 Social Media Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are set by social media platforms to enable you to share content with your networks. They may also track your browsing activity across other websites.

Legal Basis: These cookies require your consent before being set.

Examples:

• Facebook sharing buttons
• Twitter sharing widgets
• LinkedIn sharing features
• YouTube embedded videos

Note: These cookies are controlled by the respective social media companies. Please refer to their privacy policies for more information.

Duration: Varies by provider (typically 1-2 years)

4. First-Party vs Third-Party Cookies

4.1 First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by our website (skyhightraining.co.uk) and can only be read by our website. We use first-party cookies for essential functionality, session management, and performance monitoring.

4.2 Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are set by domains other than our website. These are typically used for analytics, advertising, and social media integration. Third-party cookies may track your activity across multiple websites.

Third-Party Services We Use:

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and performance monitoring
• Google Ads: Advertising and remarketing
• Facebook: Social sharing and advertising
• LinkedIn: Professional networking and B2B marketing
• YouTube: Video hosting and embedded content
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing for enrollments

For information about how third parties use cookies, please refer to their respective privacy and cookie policies.

5. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following specific purposes:

5.1 Essential Website Operations

• Maintaining your session while browsing our website
• Authenticating student login and account access
• Processing enrollment applications and payments
• Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
• Remembering your cookie consent preferences
• Load balancing and server allocation

5.2 Improving User Experience

• Remembering your preferences (language, accessibility settings)
• Personalizing content based on your interests
• Providing a seamless navigation experience
• Enabling social sharing features

5.3 Analytics and Performance

• Understanding how visitors use our website
• Identifying popular pages and content
• Detecting and fixing errors or technical issues
• Measuring website speed and performance
• Analyzing traffic sources and user journeys
• Improving website design and functionality

5.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Displaying relevant advertisements about our courses
• Measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Retargeting visitors who did not complete enrollment
• Tracking conversions and ROI
• Creating lookalike audiences for advertising

5.5 Student Services

• Providing access to online course materials
• Enabling enrollment and payment processing
• Facilitating communication with instructors
• Managing student accounts and records

6. Cookie Consent and Your Choices

In compliance with UK PECR and ICO guidance, we obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies on your device.

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that explains:

• What cookies we use and why
• Links to this Cookies Policy and our Privacy Policy
• Options to accept or decline non-essential cookies
• A link to manage your cookie preferences

6.2 Consent Options

You can choose to:

• Accept All Cookies: Consent to all cookies including analytics, functionality, and advertising
• Decline Non-Essential Cookies: Only strictly necessary cookies will be set
• Manage Preferences: Select specific cookie categories you wish to allow

6.3 Changing Your Cookie Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
• Accessing the cookie management panel
• Contacting us at info@skyhightraining.co.uk

Changes to your preferences will take effect immediately, but some cookies may remain on your device until their expiry date or until you manually delete them.

6.4 What Happens if You Decline Cookies

If you decline non-essential cookies:

• Only strictly necessary cookies will be set
• You can still browse our website and access most content
• Some features may not function properly (e.g., personalization, saved preferences)
• We will not track your behavior for analytics or advertising purposes
• You may see less relevant advertising

Important: Declining cookies does not affect our ability to deliver our training courses or process your enrollment. It only impacts your website browsing experience.

7. How to Control and Delete Cookies

7.1 Browser Settings

All modern browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete cookies after each session
• Set exceptions for specific websites
• Receive notifications before cookies are set

Browser-Specific Instructions:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
• Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced

For detailed instructions, visit your browser's help documentation or www.aboutcookies.org

7.2 Deleting Existing Cookies

You can delete cookies that have already been set on your device through your browser settings. Note that deleting cookies may log you out of websites and remove saved preferences.

7.3 Opt-Out of Specific Third-Party Cookies

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Google Ads: Google Ads Settings
• Facebook: Facebook Ad Preferences
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn Ad Preferences
• Your Online Choices (EU): www.youronlinechoices.com/uk

7.4 Mobile Device Settings

Mobile devices have their own privacy settings for tracking:

• iOS (iPhone/iPad): Settings > Privacy > Tracking > Disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
• Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization

7.5 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your browsing. However, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals, but you can control cookies using the methods described above.

8. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:

8.1 Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)

Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails that track user behavior, such as whether an email was opened or a page was viewed.

8.2 Local Storage

HTML5 local storage allows websites to store data locally in your browser. We may use local storage to save preferences and improve performance.

8.3 Session Storage

Similar to local storage but deleted when you close your browser tab. Used for temporary data storage during your session.

8.4 JavaScript

JavaScript code that runs in your browser to enable interactive features. Some functionality may require JavaScript to be enabled.

These technologies serve similar purposes to cookies and are subject to the same consent requirements. You can control them using browser settings or extensions.

9. International Data Transfers

Some cookies set by third-party services may transfer data outside the United Kingdom, including to the United States. We ensure that such transfers comply with UK GDPR by:

• Using services that have UK adequacy decisions
• Implementing Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Ensuring third parties provide adequate data protection safeguards
• Obtaining your consent where required

For more information about international data transfers, see our Privacy Policy.

10. Cookies and Children

Our website and services are intended for individuals aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18 through cookies or other tracking technologies.

If you believe a child under 18 has provided us with information via cookies, please contact us immediately at info@skyhightraining.co.uk and we will delete the information.

11. Updates to This Cookies Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in technology or cookie practices
• Changes in legal requirements or ICO guidance
• Addition or removal of third-party services
• Changes to the types of cookies we use

When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Display a prominent notice on our website
• Request renewed consent if required by law

We encourage you to review this Cookies Policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices.

12. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

In relation to data collected through cookies, you have the following rights under UK GDPR:

• Right to Access: Request information about the data we collect via cookies
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of cookie data (subject to legal obligations)
• Right to Restriction: Limit how we process cookie data
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: Complain to the ICO if you believe your rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@skyhightraining.co.uk or see Section 13 for full contact details.

13. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies, please contact us:

Data Protection Officer:
Email: dpo@skyhightraining.co.uk
Phone: 0752 182 2227

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

If you believe we have not complied with cookie regulations, you can lodge a complaint with the ICO:

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk

14. Useful Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• ICO Guidance on Cookies
• About Cookies - Independent cookie information
• All About Cookies - Cookie management guide
• Your Online Choices - Opt-out of behavioral advertising
• Information Commissioner's Office - UK data protection authority