Terms & Conditions

This privacy policy applies to all services provided by Next Step Assessments, including training, consultancy, teaching, and assessment services. If you are considering using my services for minors, this policy covers both adult and minor service users.

Who Am I and What Do I Do?

I’m Sallyanne McNamara, the Managing Director of Next Step Assessments Ltd. My business address is Lutton Lodge Farmhouse, Spalding, PE129WA. I’m a dyslexia and dyscalculia specialist teacher, tutor, and assessor. I offer a range of services including consultancy, training, teaching, and assessments.

For my business operations, including insurance, employment, finance, and legal obligations such as ICO registration, I act as a data controller. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Officer (ICO) under registration number ZC124936.

For services provided on behalf of other training providers or for the assessment and teaching of minors, I act as a data processor and use personal information under the strict instructions of those contracts.

What Personal Information Do I Collect and Why?

I collect two types of information:

1. Non-Identifiable Information: This includes data gathered through the use of my website, such as pages viewed, questionnaires, online browsing behaviour, clicks, and other actions. This information helps improve my website and services but does not identify you.

2. Personal Information: I collect personal information when necessary to deliver services, communicate with you, or ensure payment. Personal information may include:

· Full name, email address, physical address, role, and place of work.

· Payment information.

· Details necessary to deliver services, such as school information, staff names, roles, and contact details.

· For teaching and assessment of minors: names, health, educational background - SEN, and developmental information.

In some cases, with permission, I may collect additional information from third parties, such as schools, parents, or professionals of those involved with the individual being assessed or taught with consent.

What Allows Me to Use Your Information?

I use your personal data under the following conditions:

– For adults: under a contract we have entered into for services, based on the legitimate interests of my company in providing those services.

– For minors: with explicit consent from parents or guardians and based on the professional and legal obligations required in the field of teaching and assessment.

Why you collect and use the data (purpose)

The data is used for the following:

· assessment,

· reporting,

· invoicing,

· safeguarding.

Lawful basis for processing

I am processing data lawfully UK GDPR guidelines, for purposes such as:

· Contract

· Consent (especially for minors)

· Legal obligation

· Legitimate interests (where applicable)

How Is Your Information Stored?

All information I collect is securely stored using the following methods:

· Secure servers provided by my ICT service provider, ResolveIt.

· Data related to training and consultancy is stored on a secure OneDrive account and backed up on an encrypted solid-state drive.

· Sensitive information related to minors for teaching and assessment is also stored using the above methods and physical test papers are kept in a locked filing cabinet for at least 3 months post-assessment.

· I will store scanned information pertaining to the assessment on a secure folder in OneDrive for sharing purposes on our secure OneDrive.

Information may be stored outside of the UK but within the EU. I do not store data outside the secure systems provided by third-party service providers.

How Long Will I Keep Your Information?

I will retain your personal information for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this policy or as required by law:

· For adult services, data is kept for as long as the contract allows or until consent is withdrawn unless I need to retain it for legal reasons (e.g., financial records).

· For teaching and assessment of minors, data is required to be kept until the individual turns 25 in accordance with legal obligations.

Your Rights

You have several rights regarding your personal information, including:

· The right to access the data I hold about you.

· The right to have your data corrected.

· The right to have your data erased (subject to legal requirements).

· The right to restrict or object to how your data is used.

To exercise any of these rights or if you have any questions about how I use your information, please contact me at

Who Do I Share Your Information With?

Routinely, it is only me and my ICT service provider, ResolveIt, who will have access to your information. However, I may need to share your information with the following:

· Insurance Providers (Howden Insurance): They are a separate data controller but handle your information confidentially as per our contract.

· Accountants (Holly Wheatley):** While unlikely, they may occasionally need access to limited information. They act as processors and are bound to confidentiality.

For teaching and assessment, I may need to contact other professionals, such as schools or medical practitioners, but only with prior permission from the parents or guardians.

Withdrawing Your Consent

You have the right to withdraw your consent for me to hold or use your personal information. To do so, please contact me via email or post. Please note that I am required by law to retain certain data for legal and accounting purposes, which may limit my ability to fully erase your data.

How to Get in Touch

If you have any questions or would like to contact me regarding your rights or the use of your personal data, please use the contact information below:

Email: sally@nextstepassessments.co.uk

Phone: 01553607400

Last Modified: April 2026

Next Step Assessments Ltd

This Service Level Agreement (“the Agreement”) sets out the terms and conditions under which Next Step Assessments Ltd (“the Assessor”) provides services including Baseline Assessments and Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) Assessments to parents, carers, and schools (“the Client”).

Next Step Assessments Ltd reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions. Where changes are made, clients will be notified accordingly. These Terms and Conditions shall apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.

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1. Booking and Payment

1.1 For private parent or carer bookings, the full assessment fee must be paid no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled assessment date.

1.2 An assessment date will not be confirmed until payment has been received in full.

1.3 Schools will be invoiced following completion of the assessment. Payment is due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date.

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2. Cancellation and Refunds

2.1 Where cancellation is made more than seven (7) calendar days prior to the assessment date, a full refund of the assessment fee will be issued.

2.2 Where cancellation is made seven (7) calendar days or fewer before the assessment date, fifty percent (50%) of the assessment fee will be refunded.

2.3 Any administration fees already incurred are non-refundable.

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3. Amendments to Assessment Date

3.1 An assessment date may be amended on a maximum of three (3) occasions.

3.2 A £20 administration fee will apply to each amendment.

3.3 All administration fees must be paid in full prior to the assessment taking place.

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4. Pre-Assessment Requirements

4.1 A non-refundable payment of £50 is required for background information gathering and the provision of pre-assessment questionnaires.

4.2 Following payment of the £50 background information fee, fifty percent (50%) of the remaining assessment fee must be paid in order to secure and confirm the assessment date.

4.3 All required questionnaires must be fully completed before an assessment date can be confirmed.

4.4 Written consent must be provided by all individuals holding parental responsibility.

4.5 Evidence of a recent eye test dated within the previous twelve (12) months must be provided prior to assessment.

4.6 Confirmation letters for any formal diagnoses (including ASD and ADHD) must be provided and reviewed prior to the assessment taking place.

4.7 The remaining balance of the assessment fee must be paid in full 48hours before the assessment takes place.

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5. Assessment Conditions

5.1 The student must be in good health on the day of the assessment.

5.2 Parents and carers are not permitted to be present in the assessment room during testing.

5.3 This requirement ensures test security, standardisation, and compliance with confidentiality requirements.

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6. Report Completion and Use

6.1 Assessment reports will be completed and issued within three (3) weeks of the assessment date.

6.2 In exceptional circumstances beyond the Assessor’s reasonable control, this timeframe may be extended.

6.3 Reports will be provided in PDF format only.

6.4 Assessment reports must not be amended or altered by any individual other than the report author. Any unauthorised changes will invalidate the diagnostic decision.

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7. Data Protection and Confidentiality

7.1 All personal data will be processed in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

7.2 Information will be used solely for the purposes of assessment, reporting, and related professional activities.

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8. Governing Law

8.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

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9. Acceptance of Terms

9.1 Booking an assessment constitutes acceptance of this Agreement and its Terms and Conditions.

9.2 Signed copies of this Agreement may be retained for record-keeping purposes.

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Section 10 – Expenses (parking)

10.1 All expenses are included within the agreed fee unless otherwise specified in writing.

10.2 Mileage will be charged at £0.45 per mile unless otherwise stated.

10.3 Where an assessment is conducted on school premises, the school agrees to ensure that a suitable parking space is reserved for the Assessor for the duration of the visit. Where parking is not available on site, any reasonable parking costs incurred may be charged to the Client unless otherwise agreed in advance.

11. Intellectual Property

11.1 All training materials, reports, and resources provided remain the intellectual property of Next Step Assessments Ltd unless otherwise agreed in writing.

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12. Code of Ethics

12.1 Sallyanne McNamara is a member of PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties) and adheres to the PATOSS Code of Ethics.

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13. Complaints Procedure

13.1 Any concerns relating to services provided by Next Step Assessments Ltd should first be raised with Sallyanne McNamara for informal resolution.

13.2 If concerns remain unresolved, the PATOSS formal complaints procedure may be accessed.