This policy applies to themadrasaproject.co.uk. Al-Mahdi Institute's other websites are covered by the Institute's own cookies policy at almahdi.edu.
This page explains what is stored in your browser when you visit themadrasaproject.co.uk, why, and how to change your mind. It sits alongside the privacy notice, which covers everything else we hold about students and parents. Al-Mahdi Institute is the data controller, registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office under ZA381777.
The short version
Nothing that is not strictly necessary is set until you have said yes. When you first arrive you are asked once. Allow and Deny are the same size and sit next to each other, because neither should be the easier button to press. If you deny, nothing is loaded and the site works exactly as it otherwise would. You can change your answer at any time.
What a cookie is here
A cookie is a small file a website asks your browser to keep, so that something can be remembered between one page and the next. We use the word loosely on this page to cover anything stored in your browser for the same purpose, including local storage and the identifiers measurement tools use. The law that applies is the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, which says consent is needed before anything non-essential is stored, and the UK GDPR, which governs what is then done with it.
The three categories
Strictly necessary. Set without asking, because the site cannot work without them and the law does not require consent for them. On this site that means one cookie recording your own cookie choice, and, if you go on to pay, the cookies Stripe sets on its own payment page to run the transaction and prevent fraud.
Statistics. Set only if you allow them. These tell us which pages people reach, where they arrived from, and where the enrolment journey breaks. This is the category we are actually asking about.
Marketing. We do not use this category on this website. There is no advertising here and no advertising pixel. Al-Mahdi Institute does use advertising measurement on its main site, almahdi.edu, and that is covered by the Institute’s own cookies policy.
What is set, and what it is for
| What | Category | Purpose | Kept for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your cookie choice | Strictly necessary | Remembers whether you allowed or denied, so you are not asked again | 6 months |
| Google Analytics 4 | Statistics | Which pages are reached, which source or campaign brought you here, and how many people go on to apply. IP addresses are truncated | Up to 14 months |
| Microsoft Clarity | Statistics | Records how pages are used — scrolling, clicks, where people stall — so the enrolment journey can be fixed rather than guessed at. What you type into a field is masked and we never see it | Up to 13 months |
| Stripe | Strictly necessary | Only on the payment page, to take the payment and prevent fraud. We never see card details | Set by Stripe |
We name the tools rather than list individual cookie names. Cookie names change when a supplier updates its code, and a list of them goes out of date faster than anyone maintains it. What matters, and what we commit to keeping accurate, is the purpose.
Why we ask at all
The programme is small and its budget is smaller. We need to know which of our posts, posters and pages actually bring a family to apply, so that the effort goes where it works. Measurement is the only honest way to find that out. We do not sell this information, we do not use it to advertise to you, and we do not connect it to an application once one is made.
Other people’s cookies
When you click through to apply you leave this website and arrive at a form hosted by Microsoft, which sets its own cookies on its own page. The same is true of the links to our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages, and of the Stripe page where the fee is paid. Those pages are covered by those companies’ own notices as well as this one.
Changing your mind
Use the cookie settings link, here or in the footer of every page, and choose again. Denying after you had allowed stops anything further being collected. You can also clear cookies in your browser at any time, or use your browser’s private mode, and you will simply be asked again on your next visit.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled this, write to madrasa@almahdi.edu and mark your message for the Data Protection Officer. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
This version
Version 1.0
Effective 29 September 2026
Reviewed annually, and whenever a measurement tool is added or removed. Next scheduled review: September 2027.