1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using StudyGuru ("we," "our," "us," or the "Platform"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this service.

These terms apply to all users of the Platform, including Parents, Students, and Tutors. If you are registering on behalf of a minor (under 18), you are agreeing to these terms on their behalf and accept responsibility for their use of the Platform.

2. Definitions

3. Role of the Platform

StudyGuru is a marketplace platform that facilitates introductions between individuals seeking tutoring (Parents and Students) and those offering tutoring services (Tutors). We enable bookings, payments, and provide tools for online lessons.

While we verify Tutors through identity checks, Enhanced DBS checks, and a demo assessment, we do not guarantee the accuracy of any claims made by Tutors regarding their qualifications or experience beyond our reasonable verification checks.

4. User Eligibility and Accounts

For Tutors:

• Must be aged 18 or over
• Must be legally entitled to work in the UK on a self-employed basis
• Must complete an Enhanced DBS check (valid within the last 3 years)
• Must pass our identity verification process
• Must complete a demo tutoring session assessment
• Must provide accurate information about qualifications and experience

For Parents and Students:

• Students must be aged 13 or over to use the Platform
• For Students under 18, a Parent must create and manage the account
• The Parent is the contracting party for all bookings involving minor Students
• Parents are responsible for supervising their child's use of the Platform and sessions

Account Security:

• You must provide accurate and complete information during registration
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account

5. Tutor Obligations

By registering as a Tutor on StudyGuru, you agree to:

Safeguarding and Conduct:

• Maintain a valid Enhanced DBS check and inform us immediately if your status changes
• Adhere to our Safeguarding Policy
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all Students
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Never arrange to meet Students in person without parental consent and Platform knowledge
• Never complete coursework, assignments, or examinations on behalf of Students

Platform Rules:

• Use the Platform's messaging system for all communications with Parents/Students prior to booking
• Conduct all lessons with Platform-introduced clients through the Platform
• Not solicit or accept payments outside the Platform for Platform-introduced clients
• Arrive on time for scheduled lessons with working equipment
• Provide accurate information about your qualifications and experience

Independent Contractor Status:

6. Parent and Student Obligations

• Accurate Information: Provide truthful information about the Student's identity, age, and learning needs.
• Supervision: For Students under 18, ensure an adult is available nearby during online lessons. Do not leave children unattended during sessions.
• Platform Use: Use the Platform's messaging and booking tools to arrange lessons. Do not attempt to take communications off-platform before a booking is confirmed.
• Payments: Ensure a valid payment method is provided and maintain sufficient funds for scheduled lessons.
• Conduct: Treat Tutors with respect. Do not engage in harassment, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour.

7. Non-Circumvention

This includes:

• Arranging lessons directly outside the Platform
• Making direct payments to Tutors bypassing our payment system
• Exchanging personal contact details for the purpose of off-platform arrangements
• Tutors referring Platform clients to other tutoring services

Violation of this clause may result in account termination and we reserve the right to pursue compensation for lost revenue.

8. Booking, Cancellation, and Refunds

Booking Process:

Lessons are booked through the Platform. A booking is confirmed when both parties accept the proposed times and terms. The Lesson Fee displayed at the time of booking is the amount that will be charged.

Parent Cancellation:

Tutor Cancellation:

• If a Tutor cancels a lesson, you will not be charged
• Any pre-authorised payment will be released
• Persistent cancellations by Tutors may result in account review or termination

Refunds:

Completed lessons are generally non-refundable. However, if you believe a lesson was not delivered as promised (e.g., Tutor no-show or major technical issues on our end), please report it within 48 hours to request a refund investigation.

9. Payments and Fees

Payment Processing:

Payment processing services are provided by Stripe Payments Europe Ltd. By using our Platform and agreeing to these Terms, you also agree to be bound by Stripe's Connected Account Agreement. We may share relevant data with Stripe as needed to provide the payment service.

Payment Timeline:

• Your card will be authorised (funds held) 24 hours before the scheduled lesson
• Payment is captured (charged) 48 hours after the lesson ends
• This allows time for any disputes to be raised before final payment

Pricing Structure:

Lesson Fees are displayed inclusive of all charges. The Platform retains a 30% service fee from each lesson to cover platform infrastructure, payment processing, customer support, and safeguarding measures. Tutors receive 70% of the Lesson Fee.

Tutor Payouts:

Tutors are paid via Stripe, typically within 2 business days after payment capture. New accounts may experience longer initial payout times while Stripe establishes trust. Payouts may also be delayed until Stripe's verification requirements are completed.

10. Session Recording and Safeguarding

For safeguarding purposes and quality assurance, lesson sessions may be recorded. This includes:

• Whiteboard content and drawings
• Chat messages exchanged during the session
• Session metadata (timing, attendance)

These records are accessible to the Parent and the Tutor, and may be reviewed by StudyGuru staff if there is a complaint or safeguarding concern. Session records are retained for safeguarding and dispute resolution purposes as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

By using the Platform, you consent to this recording for safeguarding purposes.

11. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

No Guarantee of Results:

StudyGuru does not guarantee any specific educational outcomes from tutoring. Academic improvement depends on many factors, and we make no promises that a Student will achieve particular grades or results.

Platform Provided "As Is":

While we strive to provide the Platform with reasonable skill and care, it is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, except as expressly set out in these terms.

Liability Cap:

Exclusions:

StudyGuru is not liable for:

• The quality or outcome of tutoring sessions
• Advice or information given by a Tutor
• Actions or omissions of Tutors (as they are independent contractors)
• Disputes between Tutors and Parents/Students
• Indirect or consequential losses, lost profits, or reputational damage
• Technical issues beyond our reasonable control

Non-Excludable Liabilities:

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

12. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform (text, logos, software, design) is owned by StudyGuru or our licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited licence to use the Platform for its intended purpose.

Users retain ownership of content they create (lesson materials, notes). However, by using the Platform, you grant StudyGuru a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use such content for providing and improving our services.

You must not upload content that infringes others' intellectual property rights or is otherwise unlawful.

13. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that:

• Breaches these Terms of Service
• Poses a safeguarding risk
• Engages in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Violates the non-circumvention clause
• Receives repeated complaints

Users may terminate their account at any time by contacting us. Upon termination, any outstanding payments for completed lessons remain due.

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in the law or our services. We will give you notice by posting the revised terms on our website at least 14 days before they become effective. If you continue using the Platform after that date, you will be deemed to accept the new terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of the Platform will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.