Protecting Your Privacy

The Online Learning Schools Accreditation (OLLS) is committed to managing personal information held or collected by us in an open and transparent way.

What Is Personal Information?

Personal information is information that identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you.  
Some personal information is considered more sensitive than other information, such as credit information, health or medical information, tax file numbers and other information that could form the basis of discrimination.

What Personal Information Do We Collect?

Personal information held by may include:

•    your name
•    position or role in an educational institution
•    contact details (including mail and email address, phone numbers)
•    academic qualifications, academic transcripts and curriculum vitae 

OLLS does not collect sensitive personal information.

Why Do We Collect Personal Information?

Personal information is received and stored by in the course of carrying out its accreditation functions. It is not practical or possible to de-identify all information received by us in the course of carrying out our functions, and so personal information is collected.

How We Collect Personal Information

As an accreditation organisation, OLLS does not actively seek out and collect personal information, although OLLS does receive personal information as part of carrying out its accreditation functions.

OLLS collects personal information directly from the public via:

•    correspondence and phone calls
•    contact via our website
•    order forms for products and materials

Where individuals make specific enquiries or complaints, OLLS keeps a record of the enquiry or complaint and the response made.

OLLS collects personal information in the course of carrying out its functions via:

•    accreditation application materials
•    materials collected or prepared during assessments and site visits to educational or other institutions
•    requests to act as expert witnesses in court matters
•    enquiries from educational institutions, courts, regulators, registration boards, the public or other entities

Personal information received in the accreditation process is not stored in any way that isolates the personal information from the accreditation materials.

In carrying out functions, information may be requested from other sources such as educational institutions, registration boards, supervisors or employers for the purpose of verifying information provided to OLLS.

Remaining Anonymous

Where ever possible in carrying out accreditation functions personal information is not collected, or is de-identified. Where personal information is collected, it is collected because it is necessary to support findings in an accreditation assessment or audit.

From time to time OLLS receives enquiries or complaints which need to be investigated. Complaints may be made anonymously. Anonymous enquiries or complaints may not provide enough information for OLLS to investigate or respond. Be aware that it may not be practical for OLLS to deal with you on an anonymous basis.

Security of Your Personal Information

OLLS is careful with your personal information and secures it from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure, to the best of our ability.

OLLS monitors the services provided by its contractors to ensure systems remain secure and current.

When We Disclose Personal Information

As part of carrying out our functions, may at times disclose your personal information to organisations external to OLLS. These organisations include:

•    outsourced service providers who assist us in the delivery of some of the services you receive, by providing functions such as accreditation assessments
•    our professional advisers, including auditors
•    government authorities, as required or authorised by law
•    in response to specific requests for information from a registration board
•    in response to requests to provide expert testimony in a court or tribunal

If your personal information is being disclosed in this way, we will make reasonable efforts to let you know.

Information disclosed to external organisations is done on a limited basis and, other than when provided as required by law, is provided with the agreement that the receiver will not use the personal information for any other purpose.

OLLS does not have a direct marketing function.

Accuracy of Personal Information

Personal information collected by OLLS is usually ancillary to the carrying out of our functions and is not kept in database formats. As a result, we do not review or seek to update historical data. Accuracy depends on the information provided to OLLS. If you wish to query the accuracy of personal information held by OLLS please contact us at

We may refuse you access to personal information if an exception applies. If OLLS refuses access, we will tell you why.

Access to Personal Information

You have a right to access your personal information held by OLLS. If you would like to do so please contact at Your request will need to be put in writing for security and recording purposes and to help us to find the information you are looking for.

It is policy to provide a summary of the personal information that we hold, rather than copies of individual documents. does not provide direct access to evaluative information or information related to accreditation assessment or decision-making processes.

In the event that copies of individual documents are requested and agrees to meet that request, the fee for provision of documents via post, fax or email is £1.00 per page, payable prior to delivery.

Use of Cookies

Most websites use "cookies” and most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. If you choose to decline cookies, you may not be able to access all features of the website.

A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disc by a web page server. One of the primary purposes of cookies is to save you time. The cookie notifies the web server that you have returned to a specific page. When you return to the same page of the website, the information you previously provided can be retrieved and used by you. If you tick a box asking to remember your password, you are probably activating a cookie. You might not be able to use all of the features of our website if you disable cookies.

DoubleClick cookies are used by advertising providers to track your preferences. OLLS does not include advertising on its website so DoubleClick cookies are not used.

Changes to This Statement

We will occasionally update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the law, policies of our organisation and feedback from stakeholders and customers. We encourage you to periodically review these terms to stay informed as to how we are protecting your information.

How to Contact

If you have any questions in relation to the privacy of your personal information, please contact us at