Tutortech

Tutortech Terms of Service

Updated: July 2024 

Important information about using our services

Please take the time to read these Terms of Service ("Terms") carefully before using the Tutortech website, learning platform, and other services we offer (together, the "Services").

By using our Services, you agree to these Terms. This includes agreeing to settle any disagreements you have with us through individual arbitration (explained further below).

Who we are:

Tutortech Ltd. ("Tutortech", "we", or "us") is a private company registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006.

What this means for you:

If you don't agree to these Terms in their entirety, you can't use our Services.

1. General Information

1.1 About these Terms

This section explains the rules for using our website (including https://www.tutortech.co.uk), The Toddle Learner Management Platform, mobile apps, and other services (together, the "Tutortech Platform").

By using our Services, you agree to these Terms. This includes our other policies, like our Data Privacy Policy and Refund and Payment Policy, which you can find in our Policy Centre. Users must be 18 or older to agree to the Terms.

1.2 Who can use our Services

There are different ways to use the Tutortech Platform:

  • Students: You can use our platform to take online classes and tutoring lessons.
  • Customers: You can find tutors and manage your child's access to learning tools on our platform.
  • Tutors: You can provide online tutoring lessons through our platform.
  • Affiliates: You can help people find tutors and achieve their learning goals on our platform.
  • Visitors: You can browse our website, including the Tutortech Blog.

 

What we offer:

The Tutortech Platform connects Students with Tutors for online lessons. We also provide tools for Customers to manage their accounts and payments.

Tutors must complete a verification process before they can provide tutoring services to students on the Tutortech Platform.

Important things to note:

  • We don't directly provide tutoring services. Tutors set their own course content for each lesson, following the framework of the British national curriculum.
  • To use our services, you will need your own internet connection and device.
  • We may change or suspend our services at any time.
  • Our platform may be unavailable sometimes due to maintenance or technical issues.
  • We may offer third-party services or our own new features in the future.

1.3 Keeping these Terms Up-to-Date

We may change these Terms from time to time. We'll let you know by posting the updated version on our website and the Tutortech Platform. If we make significant changes, we'll also notify you by email.

You can always check this page for the latest version.

If you don't agree to the changes, you can stop using our Services and close your account.

By continuing to use our Services after the Terms are updated, you agree to the new terms.

2. Your Obligations

This section covers what's expected of you when using our Services.

2.1 Who can use our Services

  • You must be 18 or older to use our Services on your own.
  • The minimum age limit for independent user accounts (Customer, Affiliate, Tutor) is 18 years old.
  • Users under 18 but at least 7 years old can use our Services with a parent or guardian's permission. The parent or guardian is responsible for their child's activity on the platform.
  • In accordance with UK guidance, children under 13 using our services must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
  • When a parent or guardian purchases a course or events (classes) within a course for a student under 18 years old, they are providing permission to create a Student account within the Toddle Learner Management System. The parent or guardian may view the Student’s progress via a Family Invite Code to the Learner Management System.
  • The parent or guardian is responsible for invitations and management of persons who have access to view the Student’s progress via the Family Invite Code.
  • We don't allow anyone under 7 to use our Services.

2.2 Verification for Tutors

  • To become a Tutor on our platform, you may need to provide:
    • Government ID (like a passport or driver's license)
    • Proof of your education (diplomas or certificates)
  • We'll use this information to verify your identity and qualifications.
  • We may also use third-party services to check your background, like a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check (applicable regions only).
  • For Tutors in the UK: A DBS check is mandatory to verify your identity and suitability to work with children.
  • Important: We can't guarantee that every user is who they say they are. Always be cautious and use common sense when interacting with others online, just like you would in person. We are not responsible for any user's behaviour.

2.3 Background Checks

  • We may use third-party services to run background checks on users, including Tutors and Affiliates.
  • This may involve criminal background checks, sex offender registry checks, and more.
  • We rely on the information provided by these services, but we don't verify it ourselves.
  • You agree that we can use this information to decide whether to suspend or terminate your account.
  • If a background check report has any errors, you should contact the third-party service directly.

2.4 Privacy

  • You can browse our website without providing any personal information.
  • If you use certain features, we may ask you for your personal data.
  • To learn how we handle your information, please read our Data Privacy Policy.

2.5 Payments

  • We use secure third-party payment processors to handle payments on our platform.
  • These include Stripe, Revolut, and Natwest Bank.
  • Other third-party processors may be used as required.
  • This allows us to:
    • Collect payments from Customers.
    • Pay Tutors for their services.
    • Pay Affiliates for their referrals.
  • When a Customer pays Tutortech, it covers the cost of the tutoring service provided by the Tutor.
  • For more details on payments and refunds, please see our Payment and Cancellation Policy.
  • Our Data Privacy Policy explains how we protect your payment information.

2.6 Refunds

  • We want to be clear about how refunds work for Students, Tutors, and Affiliates.
  • Please see our Payment and Cancellation Policy for details on refund conditions.
  • Ultimately, any refund decisions are at our discretion and within the limits of the law.

3. Your Rights and Limits

This section explains what you can and can't do while using our Services.

3.1 Account Access

  • Customers and Students: You can use our platform to find tutors and manage your learning experience.
  • Tutors: You can use our platform to provide tutoring services and connect with Students.
  • Affiliates: You can use our platform to find Students who need tutoring and earn referral bonuses.
  • General Rules:
    • You can't access our platform using automated methods (like bots).
    • You can't share your account credentials with anyone else.
    • We may limit your access to the platform if necessary.

3.2 Your Account

  • Creating an Account: You can create a free account to use most features.
  • Account Security: You're responsible for keeping your account credentials safe.
  • Account Activity: You're responsible for all activity that happens under your account.
  • Using the Website Without an Account: You can browse our website without creating an account.
  • Limits on Accounts:
    • You can only create one of each account type (Customer, Student, Tutor, Affiliate).
    • You can't share your account credentials with anyone else.
    • You can't transfer your account to someone else.

 

3.3 Our Role in Interactions

  • We generally don't get involved in direct interactions between Students and Tutors.
  • Exceptions include:
    • Ensuring that everyone abides by these terms.
    • Improving our Services.
    • Handling refunds (as outlined in our Refund and Payment Policy).
  • Whilst we are not responsible for the services provided by Tutors, reviews left by Students, or actions of any user, we will provide administrative oversight to ensure standards are maintained and issue resolution is completed efficiently.
  • Tutortech is not responsible for the success of learning outcomes.

3.4 Representations and Warranties

For Tutors:

  • You agree to:
    • Provide tutoring services according to our Terms and other policies.
    • Follow all laws and regulations that apply to your tutoring services.
    • Be responsible for any violations of those laws or regulations.
    • Provide tutoring services with skill and care.
    • Have any necessary registrations or licenses to tutor.
    • Not tutor Students of Tutortech Customers outside our platform or take payments directly from them.
    • Allow us to advertise your tutoring services without extra charge.
    • We may edit your introduction video to improve quality or add our logo.
    • We may share your introduction video and profile picture for marketing purposes on social media and other channels. You can request to remove them by contacting support@Tutortech.co.uk.

For Parents and Students:

  • You agree to:
    • Honour your commitments to Tutors made through our platform.
    • Not to engage Tutortech Tutors directly outside of the Tutortech platform and payments process.
    • Interact with Tutors in good faith.

3.5 Tutor Introduction Videos and Profile Photos

  • You grant us permission to use your introduction video, name, and profile photo for marketing purposes.
  • This may include social media, video hosting sites, and other channels.
  • You can request to remove your video from social media by contacting support@tutortech.co.uk.

3.6 Tutor Rankings

  • We consider many factors when showing Students which Tutors are a good fit.
  • These factors include:
    • The subject the Student is looking for.
    • The Student's location and preferred language.
    • Tutor availability.
    • The Tutor's past performance in helping Students.
    • The Tutor's profile information (completeness, quality of video and photo).
    • How responsive the Tutor is to messages.
    • Student reviews and ratings.
    • The Student's learning history on our platform.

3.7 Reporting a Complaint

  • If you have a complaint about our Services, contact us at support@tutortech.co.uk with "Formal Complaint" in the subject line.
  • We will investigate your complaint and respond to you with our findings and a proposed solution.

3.8 Tutoring Session Recording

  • We may record tutoring sessions (one-on-one and multi-student) to ensure quality.
  • These recordings are not shared externally, used for individual targeting, or used for marketing.
  • By using our Services, you consent to these recordings.
  • You can opt out of one-on-one session recordings or request their removal by contacting support@tutortech.co.uk.
  • Multi-student class recordings benefit all students, and your attendance implies consent.

3.9 Referral Program

  • Affiliates can invite new users (referred customers) to our platform using a referral link.
  • Clicking this link may entitle the referred customer to a discount on their first purchase.
  • At times, we may enable Customers, Students and Tutors who refer others to earn discounts or referral bonuses.
  • The specific terms of the referral program, including discounts and bonuses, are subject to change at our discretion.

3.10 Limits

  • While using our Services, you agree to follow our User Code of Conduct.

4. Our Content

This section explains what you can do with the content (text, images, videos, etc.) you find on our platform (the "Tutortech Content").

What you can do:

  • You can access and use the Tutortech Content for your personal use only.
  • You can download, print, or copy the Tutortech Content for your personal use.

What you can't do:

  • You can't share the Tutortech Content with others unless we give you permission in writing.
  • You can't modify the Tutortech Content in any way.
  • You can't remove the copyright or other legal notices from the Tutortech Content.

Using our content doesn't give you ownership:

By using our platform, you do not gain ownership of any Tutortech Content. You can only use it as allowed by these Terms.

Changes to our Content:

We may change our content at any time without notice.

5. Your Content

This section explains what happens to the content you post on our platform (text, images, videos, etc.) - the "User-Generated Content".

What we can do:

  • We can remove any User-Generated Content for any reason, but we have no obligation to do so.
  • We may edit your content to improve clarity or remove inappropriate content.

What's not allowed:

  • You can't post content that violates someone else's copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.

Responsibility for your content:

  • You are responsible for any content you post on our platform.

Reporting copyright infringement:

  • If you believe someone is infringing on your copyright, you can report it to us at legal@tutortech.co.uk.

6. Links to Other Websites

Our platform may contain links to websites that we do not operate. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not imply endorsement by Tutortech.

What to know about these links:

  • We are not responsible for the content of any linked website.
  • Each website has its own terms of service and Data Privacy Policy.
  • Be cautious and use good judgment when visiting other websites.

7. No Endorsements from Us

  • References to other companies or their products on our platform don't mean we endorse them.
  • We don't guarantee the quality or service of any third-party product or service.
  • Be cautious and use good judgment when considering products or services from other companies.

8. Your Relationship with Tutortech

What Tutortech Does:

  • Tutortech connects Students with Tutors and provides a platform for tutoring sessions.
  • Tutortech is a technology provider, not a school or tutoring service provider itself.
  • Tutors and Affiliates are independent contractors, not Tutortech employees.

What this means for you:

  • You are responsible for any taxes or fees related to your use of the platform.
  • You are not eligible for any employee benefits from Tutortech.
  • Tutors set their own availability and methods for tutoring.
  • Students choose Tutors based on their profile and reviews.
  • Tutors can work for other companies besides Tutortech.

9. Transfer of Your Account

This section explains what you can and can't do with your Tutortech account.

  • You can't transfer your account to someone else.

We can assign our rights under these Terms to another company, but this won't affect your rights.

10. Your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback on how to improve our platform and services.

What happens when you give us feedback:

  • You are giving us permission to use your ideas to improve Tutortech.
  • We can use your feedback without giving you any compensation.
  • We can share your feedback with others, but we won't identify you by name.

11. Reviews and Ratings

  • Students can leave reviews about their Tutors.
  • Tutors will be rated based on the criteria we suggest.
  • We don't monitor or edit these reviews, but we encourage you to report any inappropriate content.
  • You are responsible for any reviews you post.

12. Staying Informed

How we contact you:

  • We may send emails, regular mail, or post notices on our platform.
  • By using our platform, you agree to receive electronic communications from us.

How you stay informed:

  • Keep your email address updated in your account settings.
  • Check our platform for announcements.

What happens if you don't respond to us:

  • If we notify you about a violation of our terms and you don't respond within 2 business days, we may suspend your account.

How to control our communications:

  • You can opt out of some emails by contacting us at support@tutortech.co.uk.
  • You can also change your notification preferences in your account settings.

How to contact us for legal matters:

  • For legal matters, please send written notices to 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London W1W 7LT.

13. Termination of Your Account

We can terminate your account for any reason, including:

  • Violating our Terms or User Code of Conduct
  • Inactivity (not logging in for 180 days)

If we terminate your account for violating our Terms, you won't receive a refund for any unused funds or lessons.

Tutors:

We can terminate your Tutor account immediately for serious violations or with 30 days' notice for any reason.

In all cases:

  • Even after termination, these Terms still apply to you.

14. Ownership of Work and Content

Your Content:

  • By using our platform to create content such as text, images, and videos, you acknowledge that you do not have ownership rights over the content.

Our Content:

  • We (or people who license to us) own the design, layout, and content of the Tutortech platform.
  • This includes things like our logos, trademarks, and course materials.
  • You can't copy or distribute our content without our express written permission.

Linking to Us:

  • You can share links to our website and social media pages.
  • You can't frame or link directly to our content within another website without our written permission.

Global Rights:

  • These ownership rights apply internationally.

15. Reporting Copyright Infringement

Our Commitment:

  • We respect copyright laws and will respond to valid claims of infringement.

If you believe your copyright is infringed:

  • You can file a report with our copyright agent.
  • You'll need to provide specific information outlined below.

Required Information:

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA) requires a copyright infringement notice to be submitted including this information.

  • Identification of the copyright work claimed to be infringed: This should clearly describe the original work.
  • Identification of the allegedly infringing material: This should pinpoint the location of the infringing content on the Tutortech platform (e.g., URL of a webpage, specific video title).
  • Contact information of the notifying party: This should include the name and contact details (address, email) of the person claiming infringement.
  • A statement of good faith belief: The notice should state that the complaining party has a good faith belief that the copyright owner does not authorise the use of the material.
  • Authorisation statement: The notice should include a statement that the complaining party is authorised to act on behalf of the copyright owner (if applicable).

 How to File a Report:

  • Submit the information to our copyright agent:
    • Attn: Copyright Infringement Notice Tutortech Ltd.
    • Address: 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London W1W 7LT Email: legal@tutortech.co.uk

How we will respond:

  • Upon receipt of a compliant notice, Tutortech is required to act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the infringing material.
  • Tutortech will notify the alleged infringer (the user who posted the content) about the takedown and the reason for it.
  • Tutortech will provide the alleged infringer with an opportunity to respond to the notice.

Important Notes:

  • Misrepresenting infringement can have legal consequences.
  • This process is for notifying Tutortech, not legal advice.
  • We may limit access or terminate accounts for repeat offenders.

Global Reach:

  • These guidelines apply internationally.

16. Confidential Information

What We Consider Confidential:

  • Information that is not publicly known, such as:
    • User data
    • Business plans
    • Marketing strategies

Your Obligation:

  • You can only use this confidential information for our platform.
  • You can't share it with anyone else.

Exceptions:

  • You are not obligated to keep confidential information that:
    • You already knew before using our platform.
    • Becomes public knowledge.
    • You get from someone else who can legally share it.
    • You develop yourself, without using our confidential information.
    • Is required to be disclosed by law.

17. Data Privacy

This section refers you to our comprehensive Data Privacy Policy, which outlines how we collect, use, and disclose your information when you use our Services, and when, why, and how you provide consent (for example, for Tutoring Session Recording, as mentioned in section 3.8). We encourage you to review this Policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your data.

18. No Guarantees

Using our platform is at your own risk.

  • We are not responsible for interactions with other users (Tutors, Students, Customers, or Affiliates).
  • We don't guarantee the information on our platform is accurate.
  • You are responsible for choosing your Tutor.
  • We don't guarantee a Tutor's qualifications or the quality of their services.

19. Limitation of Liability

Our Responsibility

·        We are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from your use of our platform. This includes, but is not limited to, loss of profits, data loss, or the cost of getting substitute services.

Financial Limits

·        Our total liability to you will not exceed the amount you paid us for the Services in the past one month.

Resolving Disputes

·        We will try to resolve any disputes with you individually.

20. Exceptions

Local Laws Apply

·        These Terms are subject to applicable laws in the UK and other territories. This means some of the limitations above may not apply to you depending on your local laws.

21. Using our platform internationally

Our platform can be accessed worldwide, but:

  • Products or services may not be available in all locations.
  • You're responsible for following local laws where you are.
  • Information may not be applicable outside the UK.

22. Withholding Funds

·        As mentioned in Section 14, if you violate our Terms, we may withhold any remaining funds in your account. This is to compensate us for the trouble caused by your breach.

23. Covering Our Costs

If you cause us legal trouble by violating these Terms, you agree to cover our expenses.

This includes things like:

  • Legal fees
  • Damages awarded by a court

Here are some examples of how you could cause us trouble:

  • Breaking the law while using our platform
  • Sharing false information
  • Violating someone else's rights

We’d prefer to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as an option before legal action. ADR is described in section 25.

Resolving Disputes with Other Users

If you have a disagreement with another user, you agree to resolve it directly with them. We are not responsible for those disputes.

Tutortech encourages users to first attempt to resolve disputes amicably through direct communication.

24. Resolving Disputes

24.1. For Users in the UK:

We want to resolve any issues you have with our platform fairly and efficiently. Here's how:

  • Contact Us First: If you have a complaint, please contact us first to see if we can resolve it informally.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): We encourage you to consider using an ADR scheme to resolve any disputes. The UK government website provides information on ADR: Alternative dispute resolution for consumers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
  • UK Courts: If we can't resolve the dispute informally or through ADR, you can take legal action in the UK courts.

24.2. For Users Outside the UK:

The approach to resolving disputes may differ depending on your location. Please refer to your local laws for information.

25. Governing Law

25.1. These Terms and Your Local Laws

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. This means that a contract with Tutortech has been made and will be performed in England and Wales.

25.2. Your Local Laws May Offer Additional Protection

These Terms may not exclude any mandatory consumer rights applicable under your local laws.

26. Keep it Tutortech-Focused

Our platform connects Tutors and Students. It's not meant for:

  • Promoting other businesses or services.
  • Recruiting users away from our platform for other purposes (jobs, etc.).
  • Collecting user information without permission.

If you're unsure, just ask! We're happy to clarify if something is appropriate for our platform. Contact us at support@tutortech.co.uk.

27. Export Controls

Global Trade Rules

There are international rules about what can be exported electronically. To comply with these rules, users in certain locations may be restricted from accessing our platform.

What this means for you:

  • If you are located in a restricted region, you may not be able to access our platform.
  • You may encounter an error message when trying to sign up or use our services.

28. Headings for Information Only

·        The titles used throughout these Terms are for reference only. They don't affect the meaning of the terms themselves.

29. Complete Agreement and Keeping Things Fair

  • This is the whole agreement: These Terms, along with any changes we make and any additional agreements you make with us about the Services, form the complete agreement between you and Tutortech.
  • Fairness if parts are found invalid: If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that part will not affect the rest of the agreement, which will stay in effect.

30. Contact Us

Have questions about these Terms? Feel free to contact us at:

support@tutortech.co.uk