Distinctive Education’sPrivacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [23/06/2026]

1. Introduction

Distinctive Education ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our students, parents, guardians, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect personal information when you use our tutoring services, website, admissions process, and related educational services.

By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. Who We Are

Distinctive Education is an independent tutoring business operating within the United Kingdom.

For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, Distinctive Education acts as the Data Controller of the personal information we collect.

Contact Details

Distinctive Education

Email: uzair.patel@distinctiveeducation.co.uk

3. Information We Collect

Parent or Guardian Information

We may collect:

  • Full name

  • Email address

  • Telephone number

  • Home address

  • Billing information

  • Communication records

  • Information provided through enquiry or admissions forms

Student Information

We may collect:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • School attended

  • Year group

  • Academic reports

  • Assessment results

  • Mock examination results

  • Predicted grades

  • Learning progress records

  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) information where voluntarily provided

  • Medical, safeguarding, or welfare information where necessary to support the student

Website and Enquiry Information

When you contact us through our website, we may collect:

  • Parent name

  • Parent email address

  • Parent telephone number

  • Student name

  • Student school

  • Any additional information voluntarily submitted

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Respond to enquiries

  • Arrange admissions meetings

  • Assess student suitability

  • Deliver tutoring services

  • Develop personalised learning plans

  • Monitor academic progress

  • Provide reports and feedback

  • Process payments

  • Manage bookings and attendance

  • Communicate with parents and students

  • Fulfil safeguarding responsibilities

  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process personal information on one or more of the following legal bases:

  • Performance of a contract

  • Legitimate interests

  • Compliance with legal obligations

  • Consent, where required

6. Payments

Payments are securely processed through Stripe.

Distinctive Education does not store or retain full payment card information. Payment information is processed and protected in accordance with Stripe's security and privacy standards.

7. Online Tutoring

Online lessons may be conducted through Google Meet or other approved educational platforms.

During online lessons, we may collect information relating to:

  • Attendance

  • Academic performance

  • Lesson participation

  • Tutor notes

  • Educational progress

8. Lesson Recordings

From time to time, lessons may be recorded for purposes including:

  • Educational support

  • Student revision

  • Quality assurance

  • Tutor training

  • Safeguarding requirements

Where recordings are made, they will be stored securely and only retained for as long as reasonably necessary.

9. Testimonials, Photographs and Student Success Stories

We may wish to publish:

  • Parent testimonials

  • Student testimonials

  • Student success stories

  • Examination results

  • Academic achievements

  • Student photographs

Student photographs, testimonials, examination results, and success stories will only be published with the appropriate consent of the parent or legal guardian and, where appropriate, the student.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time by contacting us.

10. Sharing Information

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

We may share information where necessary with trusted service providers including:

  • Stripe

  • Google Workspace

  • Google Meet

  • Website hosting providers

  • Professional advisers

  • Legal or regulatory authorities where required by law

All third-party providers are expected to process information securely and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

11. Safeguarding

Distinctive Education is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all students.

Where necessary, we may process, retain, or share information to fulfil safeguarding obligations, protect students from harm, or comply with legal requirements.

12. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, disclosure, or alteration.

Security measures may include:

  • Password-protected systems

  • Secure cloud storage

  • Restricted access to records

  • Secure communication platforms

  • Encryption where appropriate

While we strive to protect all information, no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

13. Children's Privacy

As we provide educational services to children and young people, we take additional care when processing children's personal information.

In most circumstances, communications regarding student information will be conducted with the student's parent or legal guardian.

14. Data Retention

Student and parent records will generally be retained for up to:

One (1) year after a student leaves Distinctive Education.

Information may be retained for longer where required by law, safeguarding obligations, legal proceedings, or legitimate business purposes.

15. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you may have the right to:

  • Access your personal information

  • Correct inaccurate information

  • Request deletion of personal information

  • Restrict processing

  • Object to processing

  • Request transfer of data where applicable

  • Withdraw consent where consent is relied upon

Requests may be submitted using the contact details provided in this policy.

16. Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Improve website performance

  • Enhance user experience

  • Analyse website traffic

  • Maintain website security

Users may manage cookie preferences through their browser settings.

17. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites.

Distinctive Education is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of external websites. Users should review the privacy policies of any third-party websites they visit.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time.

Any changes will be published on our website and will take effect immediately upon publication.

19. Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us first so that we can attempt to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator.

20. Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact:

Distinctive Education

Email: uzair.patel@distinctiveeducation.co.uk