How does the Intranet use cookies?

We only use one cookie out-of-the box for guest users which tracks the visitor's session between pages but does not store any user identifiable information.Tracking the session is necessary for any functionality that needs to "remember" what the user is doing between web pages. As this cookie is part of the underlying Microsoft framework, it's likely that it will be regarded as "strictly necessary". Indeed, that is the approach that the Information Commissioner's Office have taken on their newly updated website: "One of the cookies we use is essential for parts of the site to operate and has already been set" - this refers to the same cookie used by us.

This cookie is also used when/if users, such as current parents or staff, log in to keep track of their login session. Further cookies are also used by the editing tools in Firefly to remember recently inserted pictures, the position of the toolbar and so on.