PRIVACY POLICY: BrainSTEM Tuition

Last Updated: 07 January 2026

Introduction

Welcome to BrainSTEM Tuition. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you engage with our website, tuition services, and platforms. By using our services, you agree to the practices described here.

• Data Controller:BrainSTEM Tuition
• Contact Email:info@brainstemtuition.co.uk
• Registered Office:Hillingdon Hill, Uxbridge, UB10 0JD

Key Terms

• Personal Data:Information used to identify a living individual (e.g., name, email).
• Special Category Data:Sensitive data requiring higher protection, such as health or learning needs.
• Data Subject:The individual whose data is processed (students, parents, or tutors).

Data We Collect

To provide the best tuition experience, we collect data in two ways:

a) Data Provided by You

• Identity & Contact:Full name, address, phone number, and parent/guardian details for minors.
• Financial:Payment card and billing information (processed securely via partners like Squarespace/Stripe).
• Student Academic Data:Subjects, learning goals, exam boards, and school year.
• Tutor Professional Data:CVs, qualifications, teaching experience, and DBS status.
• Special Category Data:Diagnosed learning difficulties or disabilities, collected only with explicit consent to tailor support.

b) Data Collected Automatically

• Technical Data:IP address, browser type, and operating system.
• Usage Data:Navigation patterns and time spent on our pages^.
• Session Recordings:Video, audio, and chat transcripts from tuition sessions for safeguarding and training.

How We Use Your Data

We process data lawfully and transparently based on the following bases:

Purpose/Activity	Type of Data	Lawful Basis for Processing
Account Registration	Identity, Contact, Financial	Performance of a Contract
Tuition Delivery	Identity, Contact, Academic	Performance of a Contract
Secure Payment Processing	Identity, Contact, Financial	Performance of a Contract
Safeguarding & Quality	Identity, Session Recordings	Legal Obligation; Legitimate Interest
Service Updates/Reminders	Identity, Contact	Legitimate Interest; Consent
Website Improvements	Technical, Usage	Legitimate Interest
Legal & Tax Compliance	Identity, Financial	Legal Obligation

Data Sharing and Transfers

We do not sell or rent your personal data. We only share it with trusted partners necessary for service delivery:

• Subcontractor Tutors:To deliver personalized lessons and track academic progress.
• IT Providers:For secure cloud storage and video-conferencing tools.
• Professional Advisers:Lawyers, auditors, and insurers for compliance.

International Transfers: If data is stored outside the UK/EEA, we use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure it remains protected.

Security and Retention

We use encryption, strict access controls, and regular audits to keep your data safe. While no method is 100% secure, we respond swiftly to any potential breaches.

Retention Periods:

• Student/Tutor Records:Up to 7 years after the last lesson/contract for safeguarding.
• Financial Records:Minimum of 6 years for UK tax law.
• Session Recordings:12 months, unless required longer for safeguarding.

Your Legal Rights

You have the right to:

• Request Accessto your data.
• Request Correctionof inaccurate data.
• Request Erasureof your data (“right to be forgotten”).
• Object to or Restrictthe processing of your data.

If you have concerns, please contact our Data Protection Lead at info@brainstemtuition.co.uk. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).