Our Policies
Transparency and trust are at the heart of everything we do. Here you'll find our key policies covering payments, data, safeguarding, and tutor engagement.
Booking, Payments & Cancellations
Deferred Payment
When you book a session through CloudClasses, your payment card is saved securely via Stripe but you are not charged at the time of booking. Your card will only be charged 48 hours after the tutor marks the session as completed. This gives you time to raise any concerns before payment is taken.
Multi-Session Bookings
You may book multiple sessions with the same tutor in a single checkout. Your card is saved once but each session is charged separately after completion. The 48-hour resolution window applies to each session individually.
Resolution Window
After a session is marked as completed by the tutor, a 48-hour resolution window begins. During this window you may contact CloudClasses support to raise any issues. If a valid concern is raised, we may cancel or adjust the payment. Once the window closes, the charge is processed automatically.
Cancellation Policy
Tutors may cancel at any time at no cost to the parent. Parents or students may cancel 24 hours or more before a session free of charge. Cancellations less than 24 hours before the session incur the full session fee as a late cancellation charge to compensate the tutor for reserved time.
Payment Failures
If the deferred charge fails, CloudClasses will retry up to 3 times. If all attempts fail, you will be notified by email and asked to update your payment method. Outstanding balances remain payable.
Refunds
Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis. If you believe you have been charged in error, please contact support within 7 days of the charge.
Tutor Payouts
Tutors receive their share of the session fee after a successful charge, minus the platform fee. Payouts are processed on the tutor's chosen schedule (weekly or monthly). CloudClasses retains a platform fee (currently 15%) from each session.
Data Protection & Privacy
Our Commitment
CloudClasses is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We process personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
What We Collect
We collect names, email addresses, and role information for account creation. Payment information is handled securely by Stripe — CloudClasses never stores full card numbers. Session data (notes, files, video call metadata) is stored to provide the tutoring service.
Data Storage & Security
All data is stored on secure servers with encryption at rest and in transit. Files are stored on Cloudflare R2 (UK/EU region). Database access is restricted to essential services only. We conduct regular reviews of our security practices.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, rectify, erase, and port your personal data. You may also object to or restrict processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@cloudclasses.co.uk. We aim to respond within 30 days.
Children's Data
Student accounts are created by parents or guardians. We do not collect data directly from children under 13 without parental consent. Parents may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child's data at any time.
Data Retention
Account data is retained for the duration of the account's active life plus 12 months. Session records and tutor notes are retained for 24 months after the last session for continuity purposes. Data is securely deleted upon request or after the retention period.
Safeguarding
Our Approach
The safety and wellbeing of every young person on our platform is our highest priority. CloudClasses operates in line with UK safeguarding best practice and is committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment.
DBS Checks
All tutors on CloudClasses are required to hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before they can take sessions. DBS status is verified by our admin team during the onboarding process and is visible on tutor profiles.
Parental Oversight
Parent accounts are the gateway to the platform for students. Parents invite their children to join, approve session bookings, and receive notes after every session. Students cannot book sessions independently — all bookings require parental approval.
Session Environment
All sessions take place via our secure video platform. Sessions are not recorded by default. Tutors are trained to maintain professional boundaries and to follow our code of conduct at all times.
Reporting Concerns
If you have any safeguarding concerns about a session, a tutor, or a student's welfare, please contact us immediately at hello@cloudclasses.co.uk. We will take all concerns seriously and follow up in accordance with UK safeguarding procedures.
Qualified Teachers
Tutors with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are identified on their profiles. While QTS is not a requirement to tutor on our platform, we actively recruit qualified teachers and highlight their credentials to help parents make informed choices.
Tutor Engagement & Employment
Freelance Basis
Tutors on CloudClasses operate as self-employed freelance contractors, not employees. Tutors are responsible for their own tax affairs, including registering with HMRC for Self Assessment and declaring tutoring income.
Setting Your Own Terms
Tutors set their own availability, working hours, and pricing within the platform's price bands (currently £20–£60 per session). There is no minimum hours requirement and tutors may accept or decline any booking.
Platform Fee
CloudClasses retains 15% of each session fee as a platform fee. This covers payment processing, platform maintenance, safeguarding infrastructure, and support. Tutors receive 85% of the session price.
UK VAT
Education and vocational training supplied by an eligible body or a sole trader providing tuition in a subject ordinarily taught in schools or universities is exempt from UK VAT. Most individual tutors will fall below the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000). Tutors should seek independent tax advice regarding their specific circumstances.
Onboarding & Standards
All tutors complete an onboarding process that includes profile verification, DBS check submission, and agreement to our code of conduct. CloudClasses reserves the right to suspend or remove tutors who do not meet our standards.
Earnings & Statements
Tutors can view their earnings and download monthly statements through the platform. Payout schedules can be set to weekly (every Friday) or monthly (last Friday of the month) via Stripe Connect.
Last updated: March 2026. CloudClasses reserves the right to update these policies at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users.
Questions? Contact us at hello@cloudclasses.co.uk