Last updated: 18/06/2026

1. About this policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Exam Beacon (operated by Exam Papers Plus Ltd) uses cookies and similar storage and access technologies on our website and learning platform, and the choices available to you.

Exam Beacon is a UK based service that helps children aged 8 to 11 prepare for 11+ exams. Accounts are held and managed by a parent or guardian, and this policy is written primarily for the adults responsible for those accounts. Where we refer to "you", we mean the parent, guardian or other adult who manages the account, unless the context makes clear we mean the child using the platform.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, which explain more about how we handle personal data generally.

2. What are cookies and similar technologies?

A cookie is a small text file that a website places on your device (computer, tablet or phone) when you visit. Cookies let a site recognise your device, remember your preferences and understand how the site is being used.

The same rules also cover other "storage and access technologies", such as local storage, software development kits, tracking pixels and similar tools that store information on, or read information from, your device. In this policy we refer to all of these as "cookies" for simplicity.

Cookies may be:

• First party, set by Exam Beacon directly; or
• Third party, set by another organisation whose services we use (for example, an analytics provider).

Cookies may also be:

• Session cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser; or
• Persistent cookies, which stay on your device for a set period or until you delete them.

3. Why we use cookies

We use cookies to:

• keep the platform secure and let registered users sign in and stay signed in;
• remember settings and preferences so the platform works the way you expect;
• understand how the platform is used so we can fix problems and improve it; and
• support the core functionality of our learning and assessment features.

We aim to keep our use of cookies to what is genuinely needed to run a safe, reliable service for children and their families.

4. The cookies we use

We categorise cookies as follows.

Strictly necessary cookies

These are essential for the website and platform to work, for example to sign you in, keep your session secure and remember items you have selected. The site cannot function properly without them, so they do not require your consent and cannot be switched off through our cookie controls.

Functional and appearance cookies

These remember choices you make, such as display preferences, so the platform behaves the way you expect. Under current UK rules these do not require consent where they are used only for this purpose, but you can opt out of them at any time through our cookie controls.

Analytics and statistical cookies

These help us understand how people use the platform (for example which pages are visited and where users encounter problems) so we can improve it. We use PostHog, an analytics provider, whose servers are located in the European Union. Analytics cookies are only placed on your device if you consent via our cookie banner, and you can withdraw your consent at any time through our cookie preference centre.

Advertising and targeting cookies

Exam Beacon does not use advertising or targeting cookies on the learning platform, and we do not use cookies to profile children or deliver behavioural advertising. Our parent-facing website uses an embedded Google Maps widget to display school locations; Google sets cookies in connection with this embed which Google may also use for its own advertising purposes. These cookies are only placed if you consent via our cookie banner.

5. Children and cookies

Exam Beacon is designed for children, so we take particular care with cookies and tracking.

• We do not use cookies to deliver behavioural or targeted advertising to children.
• We do not use cookies to build marketing profiles of the children who use the platform.
• We require your consent before placing analytics cookies, and analytics are only active once consent is given.
• We limit our use of cookies to what is needed to run the service safely and to improve it.

This reflects our obligations under the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) Age Appropriate Design Code (the Children's Code), which sets a higher standard of protection for online services likely to be used by children.

6. The legal framework

Our use of cookies is governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), which sit alongside the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

PECR was amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, with the relevant cookie changes taking effect on 5 February 2026. Under the current rules:

• cookies that are strictly necessary do not require consent;
• certain low risk categories, including cookies used solely for statistical (analytics) purposes and for remembering appearance or display settings, no longer require consent, provided we give you an easy way to opt out; and
• advertising, targeting and cross site or cross device tracking cookies always require your consent.

Where consent is required, it must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous, and given through a clear positive action. We do not rely on pre ticked boxes or on continued use of the site as a substitute for consent.

7. How to manage your cookie preferences

When you first visit Exam Beacon you can choose which non essential cookies to allow through our cookie banner. You can change your choices at any time by clicking the cookie icon in the bottom left of any page, which reopens your cookie preferences.

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you see what cookies are stored, delete them and block some or all cookies. Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may stop parts of the platform from working correctly.

8. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, for example to reflect changes to the cookies we use or to the law. When we make significant changes we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, let account holders know.

9. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us at: policy@exambeacon.com.