HmmBeeTM — Terms and Conditions

Applicable to parents, guardians, schools and teachers using the HmmBeeTM platform, including during the free trial period.

1. Introduction and Definitions

Welcome to HmmBee™ (“we”, “us”, “our”, the “Platform”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of HmmBeeTM.

In these Terms:

  • “Home User” means a parent or legal guardian who registers and supervises a child’s use of the Platform at home.
  • “School User” means a school, nursery, early-years setting or other educational institution that has registered for the Platform.
  • “Teacher” means an authorised member of staff of a School User who uses the Platform with pupils in the course of their teaching duties.
  • “Child” means a learner aged 3–10 who uses the Platform under the supervision of a Home User or Teacher.
  • “You” refers, as the context requires, to the Home User, the School User, or the Teacher accepting these Terms.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using HmmBeeTM, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

Use of HmmBeeTM with a Child requires either:

  • verifiable parental or guardian consent (for Home Users); or
  • a valid agreement between the School User and HmmBeeTM, with the school taking responsibility for the lawful use of the Platform with its pupils (for School Users and Teachers).

By registering an account, you confirm that you have the legal authority to do so on behalf of yourself and, where relevant, the child or pupils in your care.

3. Eligibility and Who Can Use the Platform

HmmBeeTM is designed for children aged 3–10 and the adults who support their learning. The Platform may be used by:

  • Home Users — parents or guardians using HmmBeeTM with their own children at home.
  • School Users — schools and early-years settings using HmmBeeTM in classrooms, learning centres, or as part of teacher-led activities.
  • Teachers — staff at a School User, acting on behalf of the school.

Children must not register or use the Platform on their own. Access for a Child must always be set up and supervised by a responsible adult (a Home User or Teacher).

4. Accounts and Registration

4.1 Home User Accounts

  • Parents/guardians must create an account with accurate and complete information.
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of login credentials.
  • You must notify us promptly if you become aware of any unauthorised use of your or your child’s account.

4.2 School User and Teacher Accounts

  • A School User account must be set up by an authorised representative of the school (for example, a head teacher, deputy, or designated administrator).
  • The School User is responsible for authorising Teachers to use the Platform and for managing their access (including removing access when a Teacher leaves the school or changes role).
  • Teachers must use the Platform only for legitimate educational purposes and only with classes or pupils for whom they are responsible.
  • Login credentials must not be shared with pupils, parents, or any third party.
  • The School User must notify us promptly of any suspected unauthorised access or data incident involving the Platform.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms.

5. Free Trial

HmmBeeTM is currently offered on a free trial basis. We want this to be a simple, low-pressure way for you to explore the Platform, so:

  • There is no charge for accessing the Platform during the free trial, and no payment details are required to start.
  • You are not committing to any subscription, and you can stop using the Platform at any time, for any reason, without notice or penalty.
  • We may, in turn, change, pause, or end the free trial (in whole or for individual users) at any time. If we plan to move from a free trial to a paid service, we will let you know in advance and you will not be charged unless you actively choose to continue.
  • Because the Platform is being offered for free and is still evolving, it is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. You may come across features that are still being refined, and we welcome your feedback.
  • Nothing in this clause limits your statutory rights as a consumer, or any rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law (including, for Home Users, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015).

If you choose to share feedback, suggestions, or ideas with us during the trial, you agree that we may use them to improve HmmBeeTM without any obligation to you.

6. Use of Platform Content

All content provided on HmmBeeTM (videos, games, stories, illustrations, activities, worksheets, and similar materials) is:

  • for personal, non-commercial educational use by Home Users, or for classroom and educational use by School Users and Teachers within their own school; and
  • protected by intellectual property laws (including copyright and trademarks).

You agree not to:

  • copy, distribute, publish, broadcast, or resell any part of the Platform or its content outside of permitted educational use;
  • share access credentials, or make the Platform available to other schools, organisations, or individuals who have not registered with us;
  • attempt to reverse-engineer, tamper with, or interfere with our software, security, or features;
  • use the Platform in any unlawful, harmful, or inappropriate manner.

Teachers may display HmmBeeTM content to their class (for example on a whiteboard or shared screen) and use it to support lessons, provided it remains within the school and is not redistributed externally.

7. Responsibilities of Adults Using the Platform

7.1 Parents and Guardians

Home Users agree to:

  • supervise their child’s use of the Platform;
  • ensure that the content used is appropriate for their child’s age and learning level;
  • take responsibility for all activity on their child’s account.

7.2 Schools and Teachers

School Users and Teachers agree to:

  • use the Platform in line with the school’s own safeguarding, acceptable use, and online safety policies;
  • supervise pupils’ use of the Platform during lessons and activities;
  • ensure that any use of HmmBeeTM with pupils is appropriate for their age, ability, and learning needs;
  • inform parents/guardians about the school’s use of HmmBeeTM where required by the school’s own policies or by law;
  • not use the Platform to collect personal information about pupils beyond what is necessary for normal educational use.

The School User remains responsible for the actions of its Teachers and pupils on the Platform.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

We are committed to protecting children’s privacy. Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

We comply with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code (the “Children’s Code”), and other applicable privacy laws.

  • For Home Users: the parent/guardian provides consent for their child’s use of the Platform and is the primary point of contact for data protection matters relating to that child.
  • For School Users: the school is the data controller for personal data of its pupils that is processed through the Platform in connection with their education, and HmmBeeTM acts as a data processor on the school’s behalf, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and any separate data processing terms agreed with the school.

Schools are responsible for ensuring that their use of HmmBeeTM complies with their own data protection obligations, including informing parents where appropriate.

9. Service Availability

While we work hard to keep HmmBeeTM available and reliable, we do not guarantee that:

  • the Platform will be available at all times; or
  • the content will always be free from errors, bugs, or interruptions.

We may update, suspend, or discontinue any feature, particularly during the free trial period as we improve the Platform. Where reasonably possible, we will try to give advance notice of significant changes.

10. Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to:

  • suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms or engages in harmful or unlawful behaviour; and
  • remove any content that breaches our policies.

You (whether a Home User, School User, or Teacher) may stop using the Platform and ask us to close the relevant account at any time.

Upon termination or closure of an account, access to that account may be removed and associated data may be deleted in line with our Privacy Policy and any retention obligations we have.

11. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for: (a) death or personal injury caused by our negligence; (b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (c) any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law.

Subject to that, and to the fullest extent permitted by law:

  • we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses;
  • during any period in which the Platform is provided free of charge (including the free trial), our total liability to you is limited to GBP 100;
  • where the Platform is provided under a paid arrangement, our total liability for claims relating to the Platform will not exceed the amount paid for use of the Platform in the 6 months prior to the claim.

We are not liable for the actions of third-party service providers, other users, pupils, parents, or staff.

12. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time, particularly as the Platform develops beyond the free trial. We will communicate significant updates through the Platform or by email. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you can stop using the Platform.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

14. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, the free trial, or how HmmBeeTM can be used at home or in your school, please contact us via the details provided on the Platform. We’re happy to help.