Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TeachR ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform connecting supply teachers with recruitment agencies in the United Kingdom.

Please read this policy carefully. By using TeachR, you consent to the practices described herein.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Register an account: Name, email address, password, and role (teacher or agency)
• Create a teacher profile: Professional qualifications, subjects taught, experience, location (postcode), availability, and biographical information
• Upload documents: DBS certificates, QTS certificates, proof of identity, right to work documents, references, and other professional credentials
• Send messages: Content of messages exchanged with agencies through our platform
• Contact us: Name, email, and any information included in your enquiry

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our platform, we automatically collect:

• Device information: Browser type, operating system, and device identifiers
• Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and interaction patterns
• Log data: IP addresses, access times, and referring URLs
• Location data: Approximate location based on IP address (not precise GPS)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our platform services
• Match teachers with relevant job opportunities based on qualifications and preferences
• Facilitate communication between teachers and recruitment agencies
• Process and verify professional documents when shared with agencies
• Send service-related notifications and updates
• Respond to enquiries and provide customer support
• Monitor platform security and prevent fraudulent activity
• Analyse usage patterns to improve user experience
• Comply with legal obligations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Teacher Profile Sharing

By default, teacher profiles are anonymous. Your real name and contact details are only revealed to agencies when you explicitly choose to share your profile or documents with them. You maintain full control over what information is visible.

4.2 Document Sharing

Documents you upload are stored securely and are never shared automatically. When you share documents with an agency, they can view them for a limited time period. You can revoke access at any time through your profile settings.

4.3 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating the platform, including:

• Cloud hosting providers (Amazon Web Services)
• Database services (PostgreSQL hosting)
• Error monitoring services (Sentry)
• Analytics providers

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of TeachR, our users, or others.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest
• Secure password hashing using industry-standard algorithms
• HTTP-only session cookies to prevent cross-site scripting attacks
• Regular security assessments and monitoring
• Access controls and authentication for all systems
• Secure document storage with access logging

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

Document access logs are retained for audit purposes in accordance with UK employment and safeguarding requirements.

7. Your Rights (UK GDPR)

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction: Request limitation of processing in certain circumstances
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in the Contact Us section below.

8. Cookies

We use essential cookies to enable core functionality such as authentication and security. These cookies are necessary for the platform to function and cannot be disabled.

We do not currently use advertising or tracking cookies. If this changes, we will update this policy and request your consent where required.

9. Children's Privacy

TeachR is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

10. International Transfers

Your data is primarily processed and stored within the United Kingdom and European Economic Area. Where we transfer data outside these regions (e.g., to service providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK ICO.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on our platform or sending you an email. Your continued use of TeachR after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through our Contact page.