Your data, handled with care.
HFTD Academy is run by Here For The Drama Ltd ("HFTD", "we", "us"). This page explains what personal information we collect from parents, carers and students, why we collect it, how we keep it safe and the choices you have. It also explains the cookies this website uses.
Who we are
Here For The Drama Ltd, trading as HFTD Academy, is the data controller for the information described on this page. We run weekly acting classes, 1-2-1 coaching, LAMDA tuition, filming projects and the HFTD Oscars for young people aged 3 to 18 across London, Essex and Suffolk.
What we collect
We only collect what we need to run our classes well and keep every student safe.
- About you (parent or carer): your name, email address, phone number and billing details when you book a trial, enrol, buy from our shop or contact us. Card payments are processed by Stripe; we never see or store your full card number.
- About your child: their name, date of birth, the Academy and class they attend, emergency contact details, and any medical, allergy or additional-needs information you choose to share so our teachers can look after them properly.
- Photos and film: students are filmed and photographed as part of our training, filming projects and the HFTD Oscars. We ask for your consent when you enrol and you can change your mind at any time.
- From this website: the details you type into our forms, plus standard technical information such as your IP address, browser and the pages you visit. See the cookies section below.
How we use it
- To run your bookings and classes — registers, timetables, invoices, trial bookings and shop orders. Lawful basis: our contract with you.
- To keep children safe — emergency contacts, medical notes, attendance and safeguarding records, in line with our safeguarding policy. Lawful basis: legal obligation and the vital interests of the child.
- To keep you informed — class updates, term dates, filming days, Oscars tickets and anything else about your child's place with us. Lawful basis: our contract with you and our legitimate interest in running the Academy.
- To share news and offers — occasional emails about new classes, workshops and events. Lawful basis: your consent. Every email has an unsubscribe link.
- To celebrate our students' work — photos, films and showreel clips on our website, social media and at the HFTD Oscars. Lawful basis: your consent, given at enrolment and withdrawable at any time.
- To improve this website and our advertising — understanding which pages and adverts bring families to us. Lawful basis: our legitimate interest in running our advertising well; see the cookies section below for how to opt out.
Children's information
Most of the people we teach are under 18, so we take extra care. Information about a child is always provided by, and discussed with, their parent or carer. We never market directly to children, and we only use a student's image or work with their family's consent. If you would like something taken down from our website or social channels, email us and we will remove it.
Who we share it with
We do not sell personal information. We share it only with the services we rely on to run HFTD, and only as much as each one needs:
- ClassForKids — our booking and registers system, where enrolment details are stored.
- Stripe — secure payment processing for shop orders and packages.
- Webflow and Google Workspace — website hosting, forms and our email.
- Our teachers and assistants — who see the class information they need for the students they teach. Every member of staff is Enhanced-DBS checked.
- Agents and casting professionals — only when you ask us to put your child forward, and only with your agreement each time.
We may also share information where the law requires it, for example with local authority safeguarding teams.
How long we keep it
We keep student and family records while your child is enrolled with us and for a reasonable period afterwards. Financial records are kept for six years as required by HMRC. Safeguarding records are kept for as long as statutory guidance requires. Marketing details are kept until you unsubscribe. Photos and films are kept while we have your consent to use them.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you can ask us to:
- give you a copy of the information we hold about you or your child;
- correct anything that is wrong or out of date;
- delete information, or limit how we use it;
- stop sending you marketing, or withdraw any consent you have given;
- send your information to you or another provider in a usable format.
Email info@hftdacademy.co.uk and we will respond within one month. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information you can also contact the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Keeping it secure
This website is encrypted (HTTPS). Booking, payment and email systems are password-protected with access limited to the people who need it. Teachers see only what they need for the classes they teach.
Cookies
Cookies are small files a website stores on your device. This site uses two kinds:
- Essential cookies — set by Webflow (our website platform) and Stripe (checkout) so that pages load, forms submit and payments go through securely. These cannot be switched off because the site would not work without them.
- Advertising and measurement cookies — the Meta Pixel (Facebook and Instagram), which tells us whether our adverts are reaching the right families. It sets the cookies _fbp and _fbc. You can block these in your browser settings, and you can manage how Meta uses your activity in your Facebook or Instagram ad preferences.
You can also clear or block cookies in your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the site, such as checkout, from working.
Changes to this page
We review this page whenever we change the way we work with personal information, and the date at the top shows when it was last updated.