Who We Are

Brakth Vurd operates at 141 New Bedford Rd., Luton LU3 1LF, United Kingdom. We provide drawing education focused on observational techniques and life drawing skills. When we refer to "we," "us," or "our" in this document, we're talking about Brakth Vurd and our team.

For questions about how we handle your data, you can reach our privacy team at [email protected] or call us at +441619075200.

Information We Collect

We gather different types of information depending on how you interact with us. Here's what we typically collect and why:

Information You Give Us Directly

• Your name and email address when you sign up for our newsletter or enquire about programmes
• Contact details including phone number and postal address when you register for courses
• Payment information when you enrol in our programmes (processed securely through our payment provider)
• Portfolio submissions and artwork samples if you apply for advanced courses
• Feedback and correspondence when you contact us with questions or comments

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit brakthvurd.com, our systems collect certain technical data:

• Your IP address and general location information
• Browser type and version you're using
• Pages you visit on our site and how long you spend on them
• The device you're using to access our website
• Referring website if you clicked through from another site

We use standard cookies and similar technologies to gather this information. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though some parts of our site might not work as smoothly.

How We Use Your Information

We don't collect data just for the sake of it. Everything we gather serves a specific purpose related to running our drawing programmes and improving your experience. Here's what we do with your information:

We review our portfolios and course submissions to assess suitability for advanced programmes. This helps us match students with appropriate learning opportunities and maintain quality standards across our courses.

Sharing Your Information

We don't sell your personal data to anyone. That said, we do share information with certain trusted partners who help us run our programmes:

Service Providers

• Payment processors who handle course fees securely
• Email service providers that help us send newsletters and course communications
• Website hosting companies that keep brakthvurd.com running smoothly
• Cloud storage services where we securely store student records

These providers are contractually required to protect your data and can only use it for the specific services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements

We might need to disclose your information if required by law, such as responding to a court order or legal process. We'll only do this when legally obligated and will inform you unless prohibited from doing so.

Partner Organisations

Occasionally, we collaborate with art studios or guest instructors for special workshops. If your participation involves these partners, we'll share only the necessary information and let you know beforehand.

Your Rights Under UK Law

The UK General Data Protection Regulation gives you several important rights regarding your personal information. Here's what you can do:

Access Your Data

You can request a copy of all the personal information we hold about you. We'll provide this free of charge in a common electronic format, usually within one month.

Correct Inaccurate Information

If any of your details are wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix them promptly. You can update most information directly through your student account.

Request Deletion

You can ask us to delete your personal data in certain circumstances, such as when it's no longer needed or if you withdraw consent. We'll comply unless we have a legal reason to keep the information.

Restrict Processing

You can ask us to temporarily stop using your data in specific situations, like when you're challenging the accuracy of information or the lawfulness of how we're using it.

Object to Processing

You can object to our use of your information for direct marketing at any time. Just click the unsubscribe link in our emails or contact us directly.

Data Portability

You can request that we transfer your data to another organisation in a structured, commonly used format. This applies to information you've given us with your consent or as part of a contract.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at [email protected] with your request. We'll need to verify your identity before proceeding, so please provide sufficient details to help us locate your records.

How We Protect Your Data

Security matters to us. We've put several measures in place to protect your information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse:

• Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) for all data transmitted through our website
• Secure servers with regular security updates and monitoring
• Access controls that limit who on our team can view personal information
• Regular backups stored in secure, encrypted environments
• Staff training on data protection and privacy best practices

While we take these precautions seriously, no internet transmission is completely secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and keep your login details confidential.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We don't keep your data forever. How long we retain information depends on why we collected it and any legal requirements:

Student Records

We keep course enrolment details, attendance records, and academic progress information for seven years after you complete a programme. This helps us provide references and verify completion if you need them later.

Financial Records

UK law requires us to maintain payment and invoicing records for at least six years for tax purposes. After this period, we securely delete or anonymise the information.

Marketing Communications

If you've subscribed to our newsletter, we'll keep your contact details until you unsubscribe or until the account shows no engagement for three years. After that, we'll remove your information from our mailing lists.

Website Analytics

Technical data about website visits is typically retained for 26 months before being automatically deleted or anonymised.

When we no longer need your information, we delete it securely or anonymise it so you can't be identified from it.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies – small text files stored on your device. These help the site remember your preferences and understand how visitors use our pages.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly, like remembering items in your course cart
• Performance cookies: Help us understand which pages are popular and how visitors navigate the site
• Functionality cookies: Remember your preferences, like language settings or font size choices

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers let you refuse all cookies or alert you when a site tries to place one. Keep in mind that blocking certain cookies might affect how our website works for you.

Children's Privacy

Our drawing programmes occasionally include participants under 16 years old. When minors enrol, we require consent from a parent or guardian before collecting any personal information.

We take extra care with data belonging to young people. Parents or guardians can request access to their child's information, ask for corrections, or request deletion at any time by contacting us.

If you're under 16 and interested in our courses, please have a parent or guardian get in touch with us at [email protected] or call +441619075200.

International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process data within the United Kingdom. However, some of our service providers operate servers in other countries.

When we transfer data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. This might include using providers in countries with adequate data protection laws or implementing standard contractual clauses approved by UK authorities.

Your information receives the same level of protection regardless of where it's processed.

Changes to This Policy

We review and update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we'll notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our website.

The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when we most recently revised the policy. We recommend checking back occasionally to stay informed about how we're protecting your information.

Questions and Complaints

We're here to help if you have questions about this policy or how we handle your data. You can reach us several ways:

If you're not satisfied with how we've handled your data or responded to your concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection authority.

You can contact the ICO through their website at ico.org.uk or by calling their helpline at 0303 123 1113.