Last updated: 18 September 2025
1. About this Privacy Policy
This website (the “Site”) is operated by Oliver Walsh T/A Humanities Explained (“we”, “us”, “our”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with our data protection obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.
When you use the Site or interact with us, we act as the data controller of your personal data. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and share it, how long we keep it, and your rights.
We may update this policy at any time by posting a new version on the Site. Please check it regularly; changes take effect on posting.
2. Who we are & how to contact us
Controller: Oliver Walsh T/A Humanities Explained
Address: 8 Willowbrook, Stanton Harcourt, Witney, OX29 5SN, United Kingdom
Email: tutoring@humanitiesexplained.co.uk
Phone: 07423 781083
If you have questions about this policy or how we use your data, contact us using the details above.
3. What personal data we collect
Depending on how you use the Site, we may collect:
- Identity & contact data: name, email address, phone number, postal address, parent/guardian details (where relevant).
- Enquiry data: subject(s) of interest, level, exam board, goals, availability, school year, and any information you include in messages or forms.
- Download & purchase data: the free resources you download; if/when we offer paid digital products, your order details (product, price, currency, order time) and limited payment metadata (transaction ID, status). We do not store full card numbers.
- Marketing preferences: newsletter subscriptions, opt‑in/opt‑out choices.
- Technical & usage data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, pages viewed, time on page, referring URLs, and cookie identifiers (see Section 8).
- Scheduling & communications data: meeting times, email/message content, call notes relevant to your enquiry.
- Child data (see Section 10): where a student is under 18, limited information necessary to handle an enquiry and (if you proceed) to facilitate introductions to tutors via our separate platform.
We may collect data directly from you, from a parent/guardian, from your school/teacher if you or your guardian provide details, or automatically via cookies/analytics when you browse the Site. If you proceed to onboarding on our separate platform, that platform will have its own privacy policy; we may receive limited data back from it to manage our relationship with you (e.g., status of an introduction).
4. How we use your personal data (purposes & lawful bases)
We will only process personal data when we have a lawful basis. Typical purposes and bases include:
- Responding to enquiries; arranging an introductory call; suggesting potential tutor matches
Lawful bases: performance of a contract or steps prior to entering into a contract; our legitimate interests in operating and growing our business.
- Introducing you to prospective tutors (if you ask us to)
Lawful bases: performance of a contract/steps prior to a contract; legitimate interests in providing our introductory services.
- Providing free downloads and (if offered) paid digital products
Lawful bases: performance of a contract; legitimate interests in preventing misuse (e.g., download abuse, licence enforcement).
- Taking payment for paid products (if offered)
Lawful bases: performance of a contract; compliance with legal obligations (e.g., tax); legitimate interests in fraud prevention.
- Running the Site, analytics, troubleshooting and security
Lawful bases: legitimate interests in providing, securing and improving the Site; consent for non‑essential cookies/analytics (see Section 8).
- Customer support and service communications
Lawful bases: performance of a contract; legitimate interests in efficient service.
- Marketing (newsletters, updates, offers)
Lawful bases: consent; and, where permitted, our legitimate interests under the UK “soft opt‑in” rules for existing customers. You can opt out at any time.
- Legal & regulatory compliance; defending legal claims
Lawful bases: compliance with legal obligations; legitimate interests in establishing, exercising or defending claims.
If we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time (this won’t affect processing already carried out).
5. Who we share your data with
We share personal data only when necessary and in line with the law:
- Service providers (processors) who help us run the Site and our business (website hosting, email & calendar, analytics, customer support tools, security/anti‑abuse, document storage, and—if/when paid products are offered—**payment processors** and download‑delivery tools). They must follow our instructions and keep your data secure.
- Prospective tutors (if you ask us to make an introduction): we may share relevant details such as your name, subject/level, exam board, goals and availability to assess fit and arrange an introduction.
- Professional advisers & authorities where necessary (legal, accountancy, compliance, or to comply with law).
- Aggregated insights: we may share aggregated, anonymised statistics that do not identify individuals.
We do not sell your personal data.
6. International transfers
Some providers may be located outside the UK/EEA. Where we transfer data internationally, we use appropriate safeguards—such as UK adequacy regulations or UK‑approved standard contractual clauses—so your data remains protected.
7. How long we keep your data (retention)
We keep personal data only for as long as necessary. Typical retention periods:
- Enquiry & introductory data: up to 3 years from your last interaction, to respond to follow‑ups and maintain continuity.
- Customer & transaction records for paid products (if offered): up to 6 years after the end of the financial year of the transaction (tax and accounting).
- Marketing data: until you opt out, or up to 3 years of inactivity.
- Technical logs & security data: typically 12–24 months.
- Complaints/claims: up to 6 years after resolution.
If you continue onto our separate platform, that platform will apply its own retention periods. We may keep minimal records necessary to manage our relationship and comply with law.
8. Cookies & similar technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to make the Site work and to understand usage:
- Strictly necessary cookies (essential for core functionality).
- Analytics/performance cookies (to measure traffic and improve the Site).
- Functional cookies (to remember choices).
- Marketing cookies (only if we run ads or remarketing in future).
Where required, we ask for your consent via our cookie banner. You can withdraw consent or change settings at any time via the banner or your browser settings. For details (including cookie names and durations), see our Cookies Notice (link in footer).
9. Marketing communications
We’ll only send marketing by email where we have your consent or (for existing customers) where permitted by the UK “soft opt‑in” rules. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails or by contacting us.
10. Children’s privacy
Our Site is used by students and parents/guardians. If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to make any enquiry on your behalf and to review this policy with you.
Where we handle information about a child as part of an enquiry or introduction, we collect only what is necessary and communicate with a parent/guardian wherever appropriate. For online services offered directly to a child based on consent, the UK age of digital consent is 13.
11. Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data (access controls, encryption in transit where applicable, least‑privilege access, audit logging and staff confidentiality obligations). However, no system is perfectly secure; you should take care when transmitting information to us.
12. Your rights
You have rights over your personal data, including the right to:
- Access it and receive a copy;
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete data;
- Erase it in certain circumstances;
- Restrict or object to our processing (including a right to object to direct marketing, after which we will stop immediately);
- Data portability for information you have provided to us, where our processing is based on consent or contract and carried out by automated means;
- Withdraw consent where we rely on consent.
We may ask you to verify your identity before responding. To exercise your rights, contact us using the details in Section 2.
Concerns or complaints: You can complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/. We would appreciate the chance to address your concerns first.
13. Third‑party links & other sites
The Site may link to third‑party websites or services (including our separate onboarding/booking platform). Those sites have their own privacy notices; we are not responsible for their content or practices.
14. Automated decision‑making
We do not carry out decisions based solely on automated processing that have legal or similarly significant effects on you. If this changes, we will tell you and explain your rights.
15. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be highlighted on the Site. Please review it regularly.
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16. What we collect, why, and for how long (summary list)
Name and contact details (including parent/guardian where relevant):
Purpose: To respond to enquiries; schedule calls; suggest potential tutor matches; provide downloads and (if offered) paid products; send service communications.
Lawful basis: Performance of a contract or steps prior to a contract; Legitimate interests.
Retention: Enquiries: up to 3 years from your last interaction. Transactions: up to 6 years (tax/accounting).
Enquiry details (subject, level, exam board, goals, availability):
Purpose: To assess needs; propose tutor matches; manage introductions to prospective tutors (on request).
Lawful basis: Performance of a contract or steps prior to a contract; Legitimate interests.
Retention: Up to 3 years from your last interaction.
Download and purchase data (free downloads and, if offered, paid orders):
Purpose: To provide downloads and order confirmations; customer support; prevent misuse/abuse.
Lawful basis: Performance of a contract; Legitimate interests; Compliance with legal obligations (tax).
Retention: Downloads: up to 3 years. Orders: up to 6 years (tax/accounting).
Payment information (metadata only - not full card numbers):
Purpose: To take payments and issue refunds (if applicable); fraud prevention and detection.
Lawful basis: Performance of a contract; Compliance with legal obligations; Legitimate interests.
Retention: Records up to 6 years. Note: We do not store full card numbers.
Marketing preferences and communications:
Purpose: To send newsletters and updates (where opted in) and manage opt‑ins/opt‑outs.
Lawful basis: Consent; and Legitimate interests (UK “soft opt‑in” for existing customers where permitted).
Retention: Until you opt out, or up to 3 years of inactivity.
Technical and usage data (e.g., IP address, device, logs, cookies):
Purpose: To run and secure the site; diagnostics and debugging; analytics to improve the site.
Lawful basis: Legitimate interests; Consent for any non‑essential cookies/analytics.
Retention: Security/log data typically 12–24 months; analytics per our Cookies Notice.
Scheduling and communications (messages, call notes, meeting times):
Purpose: To arrange calls; provide customer support; maintain service continuity.
Lawful basis: Performance of a contract or steps prior to a contract; Legitimate interests.
Retention: Up to 3 years from your last interaction.
Testimonials and reviews (if you provide them):
Purpose: To publish testimonials with your permission; respond to feedback.
Lawful basis: Consent; Legitimate interests.
Retention: Up to 6 years or until consent is withdrawn (whichever is earlier).
If you have questions about a specific item in this list, please contact us.