Final Checks Academy CIC

Data Protection Policy

1. Policy Overview

Final Checks Academy CIC is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy of all students and their parents/guardians. This Privacy Notice explains how we process personal data, including collection, usage, sharing, and how third parties may process your data.

2. Scope

This Privacy Notice relates to the processing of personal data in connection with examinations and assessments awarded by Pearson at Final Checks Academy CIC.

Where Pearson acts as the awarding body, data processing complies with this Privacy Notice and applicable data protection legislation.

3. Data Controller

The Data Controller under applicable data protection laws is Pearson Education Limited (“Pearson”), the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering globally recognised academic and vocational qualifications, including Edexcel and BTEC.

Pearson qualifications are regulated by Ofqual (England), Qualifications Wales, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

4. Information Collected

Pearson obtains personal data from:

You directly: Data you or your authorised representative provide, e.g., for special arrangements.
Your centre: Information relevant to your Pearson qualification.
Pearson: Data created by Pearson, including candidate numbers, exam results, certificates, investigation outcomes, appeals, and correspondence.
Other sources: Other JCQ Awarding Bodies, local authorities, medical practitioners, police, immigration agencies, etc.

5. Sensitive Data Collected

Sensitive personal data may include:

Racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious/philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation (for equality monitoring or access arrangements).
Health information (for access arrangements or special consideration).
Alleged or actual examination-related crimes (e.g., fraud).

6. Children and Adults with Representatives

For individuals under 18, parents or guardians are responsible for providing personal data and exercising data protection rights.
Those aged 13-17 may consent to data processing themselves.
In some cases, even adults may have representatives managing their data rights.

7. Use and Disclosure of Personal Data

Pearson and Final Checks Academy CIC use personal data to:

Purpose	Legal Basis
Conduct examinations and administration, including enrolment, equality monitoring, access arrangements, marking, awarding, investigations, and appeals.	Contract performance, legitimate interests, public interest, legal obligations, explicit consent (for special category data).
Disclose results to centres, local authorities, public bodies, UCAS, and higher education providers.	Contract performance, legitimate interests, public interest, legal obligations.
Publish results in media.	Legitimate interests, legal obligations, public interest.
Respond to requests and enquiries.	Contract performance, legitimate interests, public interest, legal obligations, explicit consent (special category data).
Correspond with centres regarding examinations and access arrangements.	Contract performance, legitimate interests, public interest, legal obligations, explicit consent.
Detect and act against cheating, fraud, and irregularities.	Legitimate interests, public interest, legal obligations, substantial public interest (special category data).
Take legal or administrative action and resolve disputes.	Legitimate interests, legal obligations, necessary for legal claims (special category data).

Pearson may share data with other JCQ Awarding Bodies and third parties as required by law or for legal rights enforcement.

8. Third-Party Processors

Pearson may appoint third parties (examiners, printers, IT providers, professional services) to process personal data on its behalf, including during business transitions such as mergers or acquisitions.

9. Data Retention

Personal data will be held indefinitely and for a minimum of 40 years, including:

Candidate’s name, gender, and address at enrolment.
Examination results.
Qualifications awarded and grades.

10. Contact and Communication

Final Checks Academy CIC may contact you by post or email regarding examinations.

11. International Data Transfers

Some data transfers may occur outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Transfers comply with data protection laws and may require explicit consent.
Data may be transferred between Final Checks Academy CIC, Pearson, examiners, and service providers across jurisdictions.