Privacy Policy

Effective date: 9 July 2026 · Version 1.0

1. Who we are

Ascend Tuition Ltd (“Ascend Tuition”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a company registered in England and Wales, company number [COMPANY NUMBER], with its registered office at [REGISTERED ADDRESS]. We provide online one-to-one GCSE tutoring to students across the UK.

We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy. We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), registration number [ICO REGISTRATION NUMBER].

For any question about this policy or your data, contact us at info@ascendtuition.co.uk.

2. Whose data we collect

• Parents and carers — the account holders who book and pay for tuition;
• Students — the children who receive tuition (usually under 18);
• Tutors and applicants — people who work with, or apply to work with, us;
• Website visitors — anyone who uses our website or contacts us.

3. What we collect, why, and our lawful basis

Where we rely on legitimate interests, our interest is running and improving a tutoring service and communicating effectively with clients; we have balanced this against your rights and do not use your data in ways you would not reasonably expect.

We do not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Who we share data with

We never sell personal data. We share it only as follows, under arrangements that protect your information:

• TutorBird — our tuition management system, used for scheduling, the parent portal, lesson notes and progress records;
• Stripe — our payment processor, which handles card and payment data under its own security and regulatory obligations;
• Google Meet — the platform through which lessons are delivered;
• Our tutors — who see only the student information needed to teach effectively, and who are contractually bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations;
• Professional advisers and authorities — accountants, insurers, legal advisers, and public authorities where the law requires it, including children's social care or the police where a safeguarding concern makes this necessary.

5. International transfers

Some of our providers (including Stripe and Google) may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, the transfer is protected by safeguards recognised under UK law, such as UK adequacy regulations or the UK International Data Transfer Addendum to the EU standard contractual clauses.

6. How long we keep data

• Enquiries that do not become clients: up to 12 months, then deleted;
• Client accounts, lesson and progress records: for the duration of tuition and for 6 years after the relationship ends, to meet tax, accounting and legal claim limitation requirements;
• Safeguarding records: retained in line with statutory guidance, which may require longer retention;
• Marketing data: until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent.

When data is no longer needed, we delete it securely.

7. How we protect data

We use reputable, security-vetted platforms; restrict access to personal data to those who need it; use strong passwords and two-factor authentication where available; and require tutors to follow strict confidentiality and data handling rules. Lessons are not recorded.

If a personal data breach occurs that is likely to put your rights at risk, we will notify the ICO within 72 hours as required by law, and inform you without undue delay where the risk to you is high.

8. Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• access a copy of your personal data;
• have inaccurate data corrected;
• request erasure of your data;
• restrict or object to certain processing, including direct marketing (an absolute right);
• data portability;
• withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent, without affecting processing carried out before withdrawal.

To exercise any right, email info@ascendtuition.co.uk. We will respond within one month. These rights are free to exercise. Parents may exercise rights on behalf of their child; a child with sufficient understanding may also exercise their own rights.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to resolve any concern first.

9. Cookies

Our website uses essential cookies that are necessary for it to function. With your consent, we may also use analytics and advertising cookies (such as Google Analytics and Google Ads) to understand how visitors use the site and to measure advertising. You can accept or reject non-essential cookies through our cookie banner and change your choice at any time through your browser settings.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified to clients by email or through the parent portal before they take effect. The current version, with its effective date, always appears on this page.