Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2024

Creative Media Skills Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.

We are the data controller responsible for your personal data. We are registered in England and Wales under company number 08041345, with our registered office at Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, SL0 0NH, United Kingdom.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

Identity Data: First name, last name, title
Contact Data: Email address, telephone number, postal address
Application Data: Educational background, work experience, career goals
Payment Data: Payment card details, billing address (processed securely by our payment provider)
Communications: Records of correspondence when you contact us

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system
Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, page interaction information
Marketing Data: Preferences for receiving marketing communications

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

Industry partners such as ScreenSkills, BECTU, and funding bodies
Referral sources when you indicate how you heard about us
Publicly available sources

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

2.1 To Provide Our Services

Processing your course application and enrollment
Administering your training and certification
Communicating with you about your course
Providing customer support

2.2 To Improve Our Services

Analysing website usage to improve user experience
Gathering feedback to enhance our courses
Conducting research and statistical analysis

2.3 For Marketing Purposes

Sending you information about courses, events, and industry news (with your consent)
Personalising marketing communications based on your interests
Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns

2.4 For Legal and Administrative Purposes

Complying with legal obligations
Protecting our rights and interests
Detecting and preventing fraud

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal grounds:

Contract: Processing necessary to fulfil our contract with you (e.g., delivering courses you’ve enrolled in)
Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests (e.g., improving our services, marketing)
Consent: Where you have given consent (e.g., receiving marketing emails)
Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements

We may share your personal data with:

4.1 Service Providers

Payment processors
Email service providers
Website hosting providers
Customer support tools

4.2 Industry Partners

ScreenSkills and other training bodies (for accreditation purposes)
Potential employers (only with your explicit consent)
Funding bodies (where you have applied for funding)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information:

To comply with legal processes
To protect our rights and property
In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

5. International Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK/EEA. When this happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

Standard contractual clauses approved by the UK/EU
Countries with adequate data protection levels
Certified service providers under recognised frameworks

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to:

Fulfil the purposes for which it was collected
Comply with legal, accounting, or reporting requirements
Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Typically, we retain:

Application data: 2 years after application (unsuccessful) or 7 years after course completion (successful)
Course records: 7 years after course completion
Marketing preferences: Until you opt out
Website analytics: 26 months

7. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

7.1 Access

Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

7.2 Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

7.3 Erasure

Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.

7.4 Restriction

Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.

7.5 Data Portability

Request transfer of your data to another service provider.

7.6 Object

Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes.

Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@creative-media-skills.com.

8. Data Security

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

Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
Secure access controls
Regular security assessments
Staff training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email
Contacting us at info@creative-media-skills.com
Updating your preferences in your account settings

Opting out of marketing will not affect transactional communications about your courses.

10. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies on our website. For detailed information, please see our Cookie Policy.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not directed at individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

13. 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 website or contacting you directly.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Creative Media Skills Ltd Data Protection Pinewood Road Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire SL0 0NH United Kingdom

Email: info@creative-media-skills.com

15. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

Website: ico.org.uk