Privacy Policy
Introduction
IELTS Ahead, operated by Ahead Exam Preparation Limited (Company Number NI589423) (“we,” “us,” “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website ieltsahead.com and use our services.
Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access our site or use our services.
Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
When You Register for Courses or Contact Us:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number (WhatsApp)
- Country of residence
- Current English level
- Target IELTS/DET score
- Test date (if scheduled)
- Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
During Classes:
- Voice recordings (for speaking practice analysis)
- Written assignments (essays, practice tests)
- Video recordings (for class records, if you consent)
- Progress tracking data
- Homework submissions
When You Subscribe to Our Newsletter:
- Email address
- Name (optional)
- Subscription preferences
When You Comment or Engage:
- Facebook group posts and comments
- YouTube comments
- Website blog comments
- Email communications
Information Collected Automatically
Website Usage Data:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website
- Geographic location (country/city level)
- Date and time of access
Cookies and Tracking:
- Essential cookies (required for site functionality)
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics)
- Advertising cookies (Facebook Pixel, Google Ads – if applicable)
- Session cookies
How We Use Your Information
Educational Services
To Provide Our Courses: Schedule and conduct live classes; Provide personalized feedback on assignments; Track your progress toward target scores; Send course materials and resources; Record classes for your review (with consent); Communicate about your learning journey.
To Improve Our Teaching: Analyze common student challenges; Refine our SCORE Framework methodology; Develop new teaching materials; Identify areas where students need more support.
Communication
To Stay Connected: Send weekly newsletter with IELTS tips; Respond to your inquiries and questions; Provide customer support; Send important updates about our services; Share success stories (with permission); Request feedback and testimonials.
We will NEVER: Spam you with excessive emails; Sell your email address to third parties; Share your contact information without permission.
Marketing and Business Operations
To Improve Our Services: Analyze website traffic and user behavior; Understand which content is most helpful; Optimize our courses based on student outcomes; Test new teaching approaches.
To Promote Our Services: Display targeted advertisements (Facebook, Google); Retarget website visitors with relevant content; Create custom audiences (anonymized); Measure marketing campaign effectiveness.
Legal Compliance
To Protect Our Business: Comply with legal obligations; Prevent fraud and abuse; Enforce our terms of service; Protect our intellectual property; Respond to legal requests.
How We Share Your Information
We Do NOT Sell Your Personal Information. IELTS Ahead does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. Period.
Service Providers (Necessary for Operations)
- Stripe: Secure payment handling.
- Zoom: Live online classes (Name, email, video/audio shared).
- Google Workspace: Email communication and file storage.
- ConvertKit/Mailchimp: Newsletter delivery.
- Google Analytics: Website usage analysis.
- Facebook/Meta: Group management and advertising.
- YouTube: Video content distribution.
With Your Consent
Success Stories and Testimonials: We share student success stories ONLY with explicit written permission (Name, country, scores, photo).
Class Recordings: We inform participants before recording, store securely, and share only with participants.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law for court orders, government investigations, to protect legal rights, or comply with GDPR/UK GDPR.
Data Security & Retention
Security Measures: We use SSL/HTTPS encryption, secure payment processing via Stripe, password-protected systems, and encrypted file storage.
Retention: Active student personal info is kept for duration of course + 2 years. Class recordings are kept 6 months. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe. Website analytics are kept for 26 months.
Deletion Requests: Email [email protected]. We respond within 30 days.
Your Privacy Rights
All Users: Right to Access, Correction, Deletion, Opt-Out, and Data Portability. Email [email protected] to exercise these rights.
GDPR (EU/UK Residents)
Legal basis for processing: Consent, Contract, and Legitimate Interests. You have the right to restrict processing, object, and lodge a complaint with the ICO (UK) or your local DPA.
CCPA (California Residents)
| Category | Collected | Business Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Identifiers | Yes | Services & Communication |
| Commercial info | Yes | Purchases |
| Internet activity | Yes | Analytics |
| Audio/visual | Yes | Class recordings |
International Transfers & Children
Transfers: Data is stored in the UK, EU, US, and Singapore. We ensure protection through SCCs and encryption.
Children’s Privacy: Services are for students 16+. Students under 18 require parental consent. We do not knowingly collect info from children under 16 without consent.
Cookies & Third-Party Links
Cookies: We use Essential, Analytics (Google), and Advertising (Facebook) cookies. You can control these via your browser settings.
Third-Party Links: We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites like YouTube or Facebook. Review their policies individually.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect practice changes or legal requirements. Material changes will be highlighted on the site or emailed to students. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Mail: IELTS Ahead – Privacy Officer, Ahead Exam Preparation Limited, 82 Dundrum Rd, Newcastle, BT33 0LN, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)28 4389 1123
Summary – Quick Reference
What we collect: Name, email, phone, course work, payment info, usage data.
Why: To provide courses, improve teaching, and communicate.
Who we share with: Service providers only (Stripe, Zoom, Google), never sold.
Your rights: Access, delete, correct, opt-out.
Legal Disclaimer: This Privacy Policy should be reviewed by a qualified attorney to ensure full compliance with UK GDPR, EU GDPR, CCPA, and all other applicable data protection regulations.