top of page

Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2025

​

This Privacy Policy explains how the Academy of Professional Development and Education (“APDE”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit our website www.apde.org.uk, contact us, enrol in a course, or use our services.

​

By using this website or providing your information, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

​

1. Who we are

 

We operate as Academy of Professional Development and Education (APDE).
For the purpose of UK data protection law, we are the data controller responsible for deciding how and why your data is processed.

​

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, you can contact us at:
📧 Email: info@apde.org.uk

​

2. Information we collect

 

We may collect and store the following types of personal data when you use our website, forms, or services:

  • Identity and contact details: name, email address, phone number.

  • Payment and billing information: billing address, payment details (processed securely through third-party providers such as Wix Payments or Stripe).

  • Learning and enrolment data: courses you enrol in, progress, assessments, certificates, and feedback.

  • Technical information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and cookies (see “Cookies” section).

  • Communication data: messages or attachments sent through our contact or feedback forms.

  • Marketing preferences: newsletter subscriptions or consent to receive updates.

​

3. How we use your data

 

We use your personal data to:

  • Process enrolments, orders, and payments.

  • Deliver and manage your access to online courses.

  • Provide learner support and respond to queries.

  • Send course information, progress updates, and certificates.

  • Send marketing and newsletter communications (only with your consent).

  • Improve our website, content, and user experience.

  • Comply with legal, tax, or accounting obligations.

 

We will never sell your data to third parties.

​

4. Legal basis for processing

 

We process your personal data under the following lawful bases (as defined by the UK GDPR):

  • Contractual necessity – to provide the services you have requested (e.g. enrolment, support, certification).

  • Legitimate interests – to maintain and improve our courses and website.

  • Consent – when you sign up for newsletters or marketing emails.

  • Legal obligation – to meet record-keeping, tax, or compliance requirements.

 

You can withdraw your consent for marketing emails at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” or contacting us directly.

​

5. Sharing your data

 

We only share your data with trusted service providers when necessary to operate our business, such as:

  • Wix – website hosting, forms, and data storage.

  • Wix Payments / Stripe – secure payment processing.

  • Mailchimp / Wix Email Marketing – sending newsletters and course updates.

  • Google Analytics / Facebook Pixel – tracking website performance and improving user experience.

 

All third parties are required to keep your information secure and to use it only in accordance with our instructions and applicable data protection laws.

​

6. Data storage and retention

 

Your data is securely stored through Wix’s data centres and associated third-party systems.
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting obligations.

 

As a general guideline:

  • Learner and enrolment records are retained for 3 years after course completion.

  • Financial and payment records are retained for 6 years in line with UK tax law.

  • Website and form submission data are reviewed and deleted periodically when no longer required.

​

7. Your rights under UK GDPR

 

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

  • Rectification: request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

  • Erasure (“right to be forgotten”): request deletion of your data when it is no longer needed.

  • Restriction: request limitation of how we process your data.

  • Data portability: request transfer of your data to another organisation.

  • Objection: object to certain processing activities, such as direct marketing.

  • Withdraw consent: withdraw consent for marketing at any time.

 

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@apde.org.uk.
We will respond to all valid requests within one month, in accordance with the UK GDPR.

​

8. Cookies and analytics

 

Our website uses cookies to ensure proper functionality and to understand how visitors use our site.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly if cookies are turned off.

We use Google Analytics and similar tools to collect anonymous data about website usage. This helps us improve our website and content.

​

9. Data security

 

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
All data transmitted through our website is encrypted using secure SSL technology.

​

10. Updates to this Privacy Policy

 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be available on this page, and significant changes will be communicated where appropriate.

​

11. Contact us

 

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about how your data is handled, please contact us at:

📧 info@apde.org.uk

​

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

bottom of page