Privacy Policy

Lauds Tutors (“we”, “us”, “our”) is the data controller for personal data we process in relation to our tutoring services.

* Legal entity name: Lauds Tutors LTD

* Registered/business address: 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX

* Company number: 15834390

* Contact email: info@laudstutors.co.uk

* Data Protection Contact / DPO : Dr Laudina Safo

* We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data lawfully and transparently under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2) Scope & How This Policy Applies

This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal data when you:

* visit our website or social media pages,

* enquire about, book, or attend tutoring services,

* receive communications or materials from us,

* interact with us as a supplier or partner.

3) What Data We Collect

We may collect and process:

Identity & Contact Data

Name, email address, phone number, postal address, parent/guardian details, student school/level, emergency contact (optional).

Educational & Progress Data

Subjects, goals, assessments, exam boards, study plans, feedback, progress notes, attendance, session recordings (if agreed), learning styles/preferences.

Transaction & Payment Data

Booking history, invoices, receipts, payment confirmations (we do not store full card details—handled by payment processors).

Technical & Usage Data

IP address, browser type/version, device identifiers, pages visited, time/date, referral source, cookies and similar technologies.

Marketing & Communication Preferences

Consents, opt‑in/opt‑out status, campaign interactions.

Special Category Data (only if necessary and consented)

Information about health or learning needs (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD) for reasonable adjustments. Processed only where strictly necessary with appropriate safeguards and lawful basis (see Section 6).

4) Sources of Data

* Directly from you (forms, email, phone, messaging apps, in sessions/workshops).

* From parents/guardians for minors.

* From schools/exam boards (if you request/authorise).

* Automatically via our website (cookies, analytics).

* Payment processors and scheduling tools.

5) Purposes of Processing

We process personal data to:

* deliver tutoring services and manage bookings,

* assess learning needs and track progress,

* communicate about sessions, changes, and learning updates,

* issue invoices, take payments, and manage accounts,

* ensure safeguarding and service quality,

* operate our website and improve user experience,

* send marketing (where permitted) and service updates,

* meet legal and regulatory obligations.

6) Lawful Bases for Processing (UK GDPR Art. 6)

Depending on the context, we rely on:

* Contract: to provide services you request and perform our agreement.

* Legitimate interests: service quality, safety, business operations, analytics, fraud prevention (balanced against your rights).

* Consent: certain marketing communications, session recordings (if not strictly necessary), and any special category data. You may withdraw consent at any time.

* Legal obligation: safeguarding, tax/financial records, and responding to lawful requests.

Special Category Data (UK GDPR Art. 9)

Where processed (e.g., health/learning needs), we rely on:

* Explicit consent (Art. 9(2)(a)), or

* Vital interests (Art. 9(2)(c)) in rare emergencies, or

* Provision of healthcare‑like support by professionals (if applicable), or

* Substantial public interest where legally required (rare; with safeguards).

We minimise and protect such data.

7) Children’s Data

If the student is under 18, a parent/guardian must provide consents and act as the contracting party. We collect only what’s necessary for safeguarding and education, and we encourage parent/guardian presence or availability for sessions (especially online).

8) Retention Periods

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes stated or as required by law, then securely delete or anonymise. Typical periods:

* Client records & progress notes: up to 6 years after last service (quality, legal, and limitation period).

* Financial records (invoices/receipts): 6 years (HMRC).

* Marketing consents & preferences: until you withdraw or we cease marketing + 2 years audit trail.

* Session recordings (if applicable): up to 12 months unless a different period is agreed.

We may adjust retention based on statutory requirements or disputes.

9) Sharing Your Data (Categories of Recipients)

We may share data with:

* Tutors and staff (on a need‑to‑know basis).

* Parents/guardians (for minors, progress and safeguarding).

* Service providers (video platforms, booking, payment, email/CRM, analytics, cloud hosting) under written contracts and confidentiality.

* Schools/exam boards (only with your authorisation or where necessary).

* Professional advisers (legal/accountancy) under confidentiality.

* Regulators or authorities (e.g., ICO, police), where legally required.

We do not sell your personal data.

10) International Transfers

If we transfer data outside the UK (e.g., cloud hosting, email services), we implement appropriate safeguards such as:

* UK adequacy regulations,

* International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or UK Addendum to the EU SCCs,

* Additional technical/organisational measures.

You can request information about specific safeguards relevant to your data.

11) Security Measures

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including access controls, encryption in transit (TLS), secure storage, role‑based access, staff training, and data minimisation. No system is perfectly secure; we maintain incident response procedures and will notify you and the ICO of notifiable breaches in accordance with law.

12) Your Rights (UK GDPR)

You have the following rights, subject to legal limits:

* Access to your personal data.

* Rectification of inaccurate/incomplete data.

* Erasure (“right to be forgotten”) in certain cases.

* Restriction of processing.

* Data portability for data you provided and processed by consent/contract via automated means.

* Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.

* Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior processing).

To exercise rights, contact us at [info@laudstutors.co.uk]. If you’re not satisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.

13) Cookies & Similar Technologies

We use cookies to operate our website, measure performance, and improve user experience.

Types of cookies:

* Strictly necessary (essential for site operation; cannot be disabled).

* Performance/analytics (e.g., aggregated usage metrics).

* Functionality (remember preferences).

* Marketing (only with consent).

Where required, we present a cookie banner to obtain consent and allow you to manage preferences. You can also change settings in your browser. See our Cookie Policy for details.

14) Marketing Communications

We may send education tips, service updates, and offers where:

* you have consented, or

* you are an existing client and we rely on soft opt‑in (electronic marketing about similar services), subject to your right to opt out at any time.

We include clear unsubscribe links and respect your preferences.

15) Automated Decision‑Making & Profiling

We do not make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects solely by automated means. We may use light profiling (e.g., exam board, learning needs) to tailor materials and scheduling; you can object to profiling based on legitimate interests.

16) Third‑Party Links

Our website may contain links to third‑party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before providing personal data.

17) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will be posted on our website with a revised “Last Updated” date. Material changes may be notified by email or site notice.

18) Contact Us

Lauds Tutors

Email: info@laudstutors.co.uk

Address: 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX.

Data Protection Contact/DPO: Dr Laudina Safo

Annex A – Cookie Policy (UK)

Purpose: This Cookie Policy explains how Lauds Tutors uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to store information. They help our site function, remember preferences, and understand how the site is used.

Types of Cookies We Use

* Strictly Necessary: Required to operate the site (security, session management, cookie preferences).

* Performance/Analytics: Help us understand traffic and usage (e.g., page views, time on site). We use aggregated insights to improve content.

* Functionality: Remember choices (language, region, login preferences).

* Marketing/Targeting: Used to deliver relevant content or measure campaign effectiveness (only with your consent).

Managing Cookies

On first visit, you’ll see a cookie banner allowing you to accept or manage preferences. You can withdraw consent at any time from the cookie settings or via your browser (see help pages for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox). Disabling some cookies may affect site functionality.

Retention

Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies last for a defined period unless deleted. Specific durations depend on the cookie type and provider.

Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Check the “Last Updated” date.

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