Michelle Gauci Academy is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal data responsibly and transparently. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect personal information when you interact with our website or contact us.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information when you contact us directly by email or telephone, submit an enquiry or registration via a third-party form, or otherwise engage with us regarding classes, events, or academy updates. The personal information collected may include your name, email address, telephone number, and any additional information you choose to provide.

We do not process payments through this website or collect card or banking details online. Where bank details are provided for payment purposes, payments are made externally via the user’s own banking provider.

2. Children's Privacy

As a performing arts academy for children, we may hold limited personal information relating to students, such as names, ages, class attendance, and safeguarding-related records. This information is provided by parents or legal guardians and is handled with their knowledge and consent.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children through this website. Parents or guardians may contact us at any time to request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child’s personal information, subject to safeguarding or legal requirements.

3. How Information Is Collected

Personal information is collected when parents or guardians contact us directly or submit information through third-party services linked from our website, such as Microsoft Forms or similar trusted providers. These services are not embedded within the website and operate under their own privacy policies, which we encourage users to review before submitting information.

4. How We Use Personal Information

Personal information is used solely for legitimate academy-related purposes. This includes responding to enquiries, managing class registrations and attendance, communicating relevant information about classes or events, and meeting safeguarding, legal, or administrative obligations. Personal data is not used for unrelated marketing activities and is not sold or shared for commercial purposes.

5. Our Lawful Basis for Processing Personal Data

We only collect and use personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so under UK data protection law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include processing personal data with your consent, where it is necessary to perform a contract or take steps before entering into a contract, to comply with a legal obligation, or where it is necessary for our legitimate interests in operating and managing Michelle Gauci Academy, provided those interests do not override your rights and freedoms.

6. Data Storage and Security

Personal information is stored securely in electronic and, where appropriate, paper-based records accessible only to authorised members of staff. Where third-party services are used, such as Microsoft Forms, data may be processed or stored within secure systems provided by those services. Access to personal data is restricted to those who require it for legitimate operational or safeguarding purposes.

Appropriate technical and organisational measures are taken to protect personal data. While all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard information, no system can guarantee absolute security.

7. Cookies and Embedded Content

Our website uses a limited number of essential cookies to ensure it operates securely and reliably. These cookies support core website functionality, security, and your cookie preferences. Where optional cookies are introduced in the future, they will only be used where you have provided your consent through our cookie banner.

For more information about the cookies we use, including their purpose and duration, please see our Cookie Policy.

8. Third-Party Services

We may use trusted third-party services to support the operation of our website and academy. This may include website hosting and security providers, Microsoft Forms for collecting enquiry information, Microsoft OneDrive for sharing files where appropriate, and links to our social media platforms. Where these third parties process personal data on our behalf, they do so in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable data protection laws.

9. Data Retention

Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or to meet legal, safeguarding, regulatory or administrative obligations. When personal data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or disposed of.

10. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK data protection laws, parents, guardians and individuals may have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about them or their child, request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information, request deletion of personal information where applicable, request restriction of processing, object to certain types of processing, and, where processing is based on consent, withdraw that consent at any time. Requests can be made using the contact details provided below.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be published on this page.

12. Contact Information

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

Michelle Gauci Academy

Email: [email protected]