Privacy Policy

Last updated:

This Privacy Policy explains how GCSEHelp (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles information when you use the site as a student, teacher or administrator. The goal is simple: provide a calm revision hub with as little data collection as reasonably possible.

1. Information we collect

• Login identifiers: a hashed version of your username and password. We do not store your password in plain text.
• Device code: a numeric code saved in your browser to identify this specific device.
• Email address (via Google Forms): when you submit the device-linking form, Google records your email and the device code you enter.
• Basic logs: limited technical information (such as IP address, error messages, timestamps) used to keep the service stable and prevent abuse.

2. How we use this information

• To manage access: we link your email and device code so that certain resources can be restricted or allowed.
• To keep accounts safe: if the panic button is pressed or there are concerns, admins may temporarily block access linked to an email address.
• To keep the site working: error logs and basic technical information are used to debug faults and protect against malicious activity.

3. Local storage and cookies

GCSEHelp uses your browser’s local storage and session storage to keep:

• Your device code;
• Your login hash and role (e.g. normal user or admin);
• Temporary error messages between pages (for example, after a failed approval).

We do not currently use third-party analytics cookies for advertising or behavioural tracking. Any simple analytics may rely on anonymous or aggregated information.

4. Data from schools and admins

Where GCSEHelp is used in a school or institution:

• Admins may view lists of authorised devices (email + device code).
• Admins may view blocked emails and reasons for blocking.
• Admins may apply policies such as “restricted mode” or kick active sessions.

These actions are intended to help teachers keep access appropriate and safeguard students, not to profile them or track their personal browsing outside GCSEHelp.

5. Legal basis (for UK & EU users)

For users in the UK/EU, processing of your information is generally based on:

• Legitimate interests: operating a secure, functional revision hub;
• Performance of a task in the public interest or within an educational context, where the site is used by a school;
• Consent: where you explicitly agree to certain uses (for example, when submitting the device-linking form).

6. How long we keep data

Information such as device codes and authorisation flags may be retained while the account is active or as required by the educational setting using the site. Admins may clear entries where they are no longer needed.

7. Your rights

Depending on your location and relationship (student, parent, teacher), you may have rights to:

• Request access to information held about you;
• Request correction of inaccurate information;
• Request deletion of certain information where appropriate;
• Object to or restrict certain processing activities.

In many cases, especially within schools, these rights are exercised via your school’s data protection contact rather than directly through this website.

8. Third-party services

GCSEHelp relies on third-party providers such as:

• Google Forms & Apps Script for collecting your email and device code;
• Cloud hosting / worker platforms for handling login and access logic;
• External revision websites that you access via tiles on the resources page.

Each of these services has its own privacy policy and terms. You should also be comfortable with those before signing in or providing information on those sites.

9. Contact & complaints

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, or believe something has gone wrong with how your data is handled, you should first speak to your school or the person who provided you with access to GCSEHelp. They can then raise any necessary queries with the site maintainer.

Terms & Conditions

Please read these Terms carefully before using GCSEHelp.

1. Using GCSEHelp

GCSEHelp is designed as a central launcher for revision resources. By using the site, you agree that:

• You will use it for genuine study or teaching purposes;
• You will not attempt to break, bypass or misuse the access controls;
• You will respect the rules set by your school or organisation regarding acceptable use.

2. Accounts, login & device codes

In some cases, you may receive login details and a device code:

• You must keep your login credentials private and not share them with others.
• A device code may be assigned to your browser; applying again may replace a previous code.
• If we detect suspicious behaviour, we may suspend or block an account or device code.

3. Panic button & safeguarding

Where enabled, the panic button is designed as a safety feature. When pressed:

• Your current access may be revoked and your email temporarily blocked.
• An admin may be alerted to review the situation.
• You may see a message explaining that your account has been paused or blocked.

This is intended to create a quick way to step back from content access if something doesn’t feel right, and to give admins a chance to review what happened.

4. Restricted mode & session control

Admins may activate a restricted mode or end active sessions. When this happens:

• Some or all private resources may temporarily stop working;
• Active materials pages may be closed or redirected back to the main resources list;
• You may see a message indicating that restricted mode is active.

5. External websites

GCSEHelp displays links to third-party websites and services. We do not control or endorse the content on those sites and are not responsible for:

• The accuracy or reliability of material on external sites;
• Any changes, outages or policy updates on those sites;
• How those sites handle your data once you leave GCSEHelp.

6. Intellectual property

GCSEHelp’s design, branding and structure (including layout, UI and code) are provided for your personal, non-commercial study use. You may not copy or reuse these elements in a way that confuses users or implies a different service is part of GCSEHelp.

7. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Attempt to hack, overload or otherwise disrupt the service;
• Interfere with other users’ access or data;
• Use GCSEHelp to distribute harmful, illegal or inappropriate content.

8. Changes to these Terms & this Policy

We may update these Terms and the Privacy Policy from time to time, for example if the site’s features change or legal requirements are updated. Revised versions will be posted on this page with a new “last updated” date.

9. Disclaimer

GCSEHelp is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We do not guarantee that the site will always be free from errors, downtime or compatibility issues. However, we aim to keep it stable and usable for normal revision activity.

10. Contact

If your use of GCSEHelp is managed by a school or organisation, your first point of contact for any concerns or questions should be that institution. They can escalate technical or legal issues to the site maintainer if needed.