Privacy & Data Protection Notice

1. Who we are

Britannia School of Excellence (“BSE”, “we”, “us”) is the data controller for the personal information described in this notice.

2. Information we may collect

• Identity and contact details, such as your name, address, telephone number and email address.
• Parent or carer details where a learner is under 18.
• Enquiry, course, attendance, assessment, progress and qualification information.
• Education history, study preferences and application information for international admissions support.
• Payment and transaction records. We do not ask you to send full payment-card details through our contact forms.
• Communications with us by website form, email, telephone or WhatsApp.
• Reasonable adjustment, safeguarding or health information when it is necessary to support a learner safely and lawfully.
• Technical information such as browser, device and basic website security records.
• Photographs, recordings or testimonials only where an appropriate permission or other lawful basis applies.

3. How we collect information

We collect information directly from learners, parents or carers, staff, tutors and people making enquiries. We may also receive information from schools, awarding or examination bodies, education partners, universities, referees or other organisations involved in delivering a service, where this is lawful and expected.

Our optional “Ask BSE” website chat provides automated course information. Your question is processed to produce an answer and may be sent to our AI service provider when that service is enabled. Please do not enter names, contact details, health information or documents in the chat. We do not use chat answers to make admissions or other significant decisions. The website does not save a chat transcript; your current conversation remains in your browser page until you leave or refresh it. Technical and provider security records may still apply.

4. Why we use information and our lawful bases

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider the need for the activity, its impact on you and your reasonable expectations. You can object where the law gives you that right.

5. Special category and criminal-offence information

We only use sensitive information—such as health, disability, ethnicity or safeguarding information—when it is genuinely needed and an additional legal condition applies. Access is restricted to people who need it. Criminal-offence information is handled only where authorised by law and appropriate safeguards are in place.

6. Children and young people

Some BSE services are provided to children. We aim to use clear, age-appropriate language, collect only what is needed and involve a parent or carer where appropriate. Safeguarding needs may sometimes require us to use or share information without consent when the law permits or requires it.

7. Who we may share information with

We may share relevant information with:

• awarding bodies, examination providers and regulators;
• schools, colleges, universities and admissions partners involved in an application;
• tutors, assessors and authorised BSE staff;
• IT, website, communications, payment and professional service providers acting under appropriate terms;
• local authorities, safeguarding bodies, law enforcement or other public bodies where required or permitted by law; and
• another organisation if BSE undergoes a lawful business reorganisation.

We do not sell personal information.

8. International transfers

International admissions work and some technology services may involve information being accessed or stored outside the United Kingdom. Where UK data protection law requires it, we use an adequacy regulation, approved contractual safeguards or another lawful transfer mechanism. You can contact us for more information about safeguards relevant to your information.

9. How long we keep information

We keep information only for as long as it is needed for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet legal, tax, safeguarding, insurance, examination or awarding-body requirements. Retention periods vary according to the type of record, the learner’s age, contractual requirements and whether a complaint or legal claim is possible. We securely delete or anonymise information when it is no longer required.

10. Security

We use proportionate organisational and technical measures to protect personal information, including access controls, staff responsibilities, secure services and appropriate supplier arrangements. No internet service can be guaranteed completely secure, so please avoid sending sensitive documents through ordinary contact forms or WhatsApp unless our team has agreed a suitable method.

11. Your data protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• ask for a copy of your personal information;
• correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• ask us to delete or restrict use of information;
• object to certain uses, including direct marketing;
• receive certain information in a portable format;
• withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis used; and
• ask for human review of a significant solely automated decision. BSE does not currently make such decisions through this website.

Rights are not absolute and a legal exemption may apply. To make a request, email info@bselearning.co.uk. We may need to confirm your identity.

12. Complaints

Please contact us first so we can try to resolve your concern. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Visit ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint for current contact options.

13. Cookies and website choices

Our separate Cookie Policy explains the browser storage used on this website. You can reopen the preference panel at any time using “Cookie settings” in the footer.

14. Changes to this notice

We review this notice when our services, suppliers or legal obligations change. The latest version will always be published on this page with its review date.