Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2 January 2026

1. Introduction
The Martial Arts Method ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal
data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our
website at https://themartialartsmethod.co.uk/ or use our services.
We are the data controller for the purposes of UK data protection legislation. Our registered address is The Martial Arts Method, Royds Mill, 20 Calder Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 8PJ.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information
We may collect the following types of personal information:
• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Registration Details: Date of birth, emergency contact information, medical conditions or special
requirements
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through
third-party payment providers)
• Class Participation: Attendance records, progress assessments, belt gradings
• Communications: Records of communications between you and us, including emails and phone
calls
• Website Usage: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on site, referring website

2.2 Children's Information
For participants under 18, we collect information with parental/guardian consent, including:
• Child's name, age, and date of birth
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Medical information relevant to safe participation
• Emergency contact details
• Photographic/video content for promotional purposes (with separate consent)

3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery
• Processing class registrations and memberships
• Scheduling and managing martial arts classes
• Monitoring progress and providing instruction
• Communicating about classes, events, and schedule changes

3.2 Administration
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Maintaining accurate attendance records
• Ensuring health and safety requirements are met
• Managing insurance and liability matters

3.3 Marketing and Communication
• Sending newsletters and promotional materials (with consent)
• Sharing updates about new classes or events
• Creating promotional content featuring students (with separate consent)
• Improving our services based on feedback

3.4 Legal Compliance
• Meeting regulatory and legal obligations
• Protecting our legitimate business interests
• Ensuring child protection and safeguarding requirements

4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on:
• Contract Performance: To provide martial arts instruction and related services
• Legitimate Interest: For business administration, safety, and improvement of services
• Consent: For marketing communications and promotional materials
• Legal Obligation: To comply with health and safety, child protection, and other legal requirements

5. Information Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

5.1 Service Providers
• Payment processing companies
• Insurance providers
• IT service providers and website hosting services
• Professional advisors (accountants, lawyers)

5.2 Legal Requirements
• Law enforcement agencies when legally required
• Regulatory bodies for compliance purposes
• Courts or tribunals when ordered

5.3 Emergency Situations
• Medical professionals in case of emergency
• Emergency contacts as provided by you

6. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:
• Secure data storage and transmission
• Regular security assessments
• Staff training on data protection
• Access controls and authentication measures
• Regular data backups

7. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:
• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Typically, we retain:
• Active member data: For the duration of membership plus 7 years
• Financial records: 7 years from the end of the financial year
• Child protection records: As required by local authority guidelines
• Marketing consents: Until withdrawn or 7 years of inactivity

8. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

8.1 Access and Portability
• Right to access your personal data
• Right to receive a copy of your data in a portable format

8.2 Correction and Erasure
• Right to correct inaccurate data
• Right to request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)

8.3 Processing Rights
• Right to object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to restrict processing in certain circumstances
• Right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

8.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond
within one month of receiving your request.

9. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. We use:
• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: To understand how visitors use our site
• Marketing Cookies: To deliver relevant advertisements (with consent)
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie banner when
you first visit the site.

10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those
sites, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read their privacy
policies.

11. International Transfers
We primarily process data within the United Kingdom. If we transfer data outside the UK, we ensure
appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and, where appropriate, by email.

13. Children's Privacy
We take special care when handling children's personal information. For participants under 16, we
obtain parental consent before collecting or processing their data. Parents have the right to:
• Access their child's information
• Request correction or deletion
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Object to certain types of processing

14. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights,
please contact us:
The Martial Arts Method Mirfield, West Yorkshire
Email: info@themartialartsmethod.co.uk Phone: 07758252411

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you
believe we have not handled your personal data appropriately. Visit www.ico.org.uk for more information.
This Privacy Policy is effective from 2 January 2026.