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. 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. Data Storage and Security

Personal information is handled manually and stored securely by authorised members of staff only. 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.

6. Cookies and Embedded Content

Our website uses essential cookies to ensure it operates correctly and securely. These cookies are always enabled. Optional cookies may be used to enable embedded third-party content, such as Instagram feeds. Optional cookies are only used where consent has been provided through the cookie banner displayed on the website. Cookie preferences can be updated at any time using the cookie controls provided.

7. 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, and social media platforms used for embedded content. These third parties process personal data in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable data protection legislation.

8. Data Retention

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

9. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK data protection laws, parents, guardians, and individuals have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about them or their child, request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information, request deletion where appropriate, and object to or restrict certain types of processing. Requests can be made using the contact details below.

10. 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.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how personal information is handled, please contact:

Michelle Gauci Academy

Email: [email protected]