By creating an account or using Skill-Hive, you're agreeing to these terms. We know terms documents are normally a chore to read — we've tried to keep this one short and honest. If something's unclear, just ask us.
1 What Skill-Hive is
Skill-Hive is an online learning marketplace that connects people who want to learn something with people who can teach it — through live, one-on-one sessions. We build and maintain the platform; we don't deliver the lessons ourselves.
2 Who can use Skill-Hive
You must be at least 18 years old, or have a parent or guardian's permission if you're younger. By using the platform you confirm that:
- The information you give us when registering is accurate and up to date
- You have the legal capacity to agree to these terms
- You have not previously been banned from Skill-Hive
3 Your account
You're responsible for keeping your password safe and for everything that happens under your account. If you think someone else has accessed your account, let us know straight away at contact.php.
- Don't share your login with anyone else
- One person, one account — multiple accounts aren't allowed
- Don't impersonate another person or organisation
4 What we expect from learners
- Show up on time for sessions you've booked, or cancel with reasonable notice. If you don't join a lesson, your teacher can mark it as missed: missed lessons aren't refunded, and a time credit goes to the teacher
- Treat teachers with respect — the same respect you'd expect in return
- Don't record sessions without the teacher's explicit permission
- Use shared materials for your own learning only, not for redistribution
- Leave honest, fair reviews — they help the whole community
5 What we expect from teachers
- Be honest about your qualifications, experience, and what you can teach
- Show up prepared and deliver the quality of instruction you've advertised
- Give students enough notice if you need to cancel
- Start each lesson in Skill-Hive. If you haven't started it 15 minutes after its start time, the student can report that you didn't come and is refunded in full (or gets their time credit back)
- Only share content you own the rights to, or that's freely licensed
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times
- Comply with all applicable laws where you're based
6 Payments and fees
Session fees are set by teachers and displayed clearly before you book. Skill-Hive takes a platform fee from each transaction to cover running costs. All fees are shown in your local currency at the time of booking.
6b Skill Swap and time credits
Skill Swap lets members pay for some lessons with time credits instead of money. Teaching a one-hour swap lesson earns one credit; one credit pays for one one-hour lesson.
- No cash value. Credits are a record of time. They can't be bought, sold, transferred to another member, exchanged for money or paid out, and they aren't a currency or stored money.
- Adults only. You must be 18 or over to earn or spend credits, and you confirm your date of birth when you join Skill Swap. Giving a false date of birth is a breach of these terms.
- When credits move. A credit is held when a lesson is booked. It goes to the teacher when the learner confirms the lesson happened, or 48 hours after the lesson if the teacher started it on Skill-Hive. If the teacher never started it, it returns to the learner.
- Cancellations. Cancelling at least 24 hours before the lesson returns the credit. If the teacher declines, cancels or doesn't show up, the learner always gets the credit back.
- Limits. You can hold up to 10 credits. Credits you haven't used expire 12 months after you received them. Teachers can take up to 5 swap lessons a week.
- Disputes. If a learner says a lesson didn't happen, the credit stays on hold and Skill-Hive decides who receives it. Our decision is final.
- Misuse. We may remove credits gained by fake lessons, multiple accounts or other abuse, and suspend the accounts involved.
- Closing your account. Any credits you hold are lost when your account is closed.
- Your tax. You're responsible for any tax that may apply to what you receive through Skill-Hive, including lessons taught for credits.
- Changes. We may change or end Skill Swap. If we end it, we'll give at least 30 days' notice so you can use your credits.
6c The lesson diary
After a lesson, the teacher and the learner can each write a short entry in their lesson diary: what was covered, what to practise, and feedback for each other.
- Who can read it. Only the two people in the lesson. Entries are never shown on profiles, in reviews or to other members.
- When Skill-Hive reads it. Our team can read the diary between two members only while settling a Skill Swap dispute about their lesson, or a report one of them made about the other. Every time this happens, it's recorded.
- Keep it about the lesson. The rules in section 8 apply to diary entries too. Don't put passwords, payment details or other private information in them.
- Changes. You can change your entry for 14 days after the lesson. After that it stays as written.
7 Your content
Anything you post on Skill-Hive — profile info, reviews, uploaded materials — remains yours. By posting it, you give us a licence to display it on the platform. We won't use your content for advertising without asking you first.
Teachers keep full ownership of their teaching materials. Students may not resell or redistribute teacher content.
8 What's not allowed
- Harassment, abuse, or threatening behaviour toward anyone on the platform
- Sharing illegal, offensive, or sexually explicit content
- Taking payments outside of Skill-Hive to dodge platform fees
- Impersonating another person or falsely claiming qualifications
- Spamming, phishing, or any kind of fraud
- Uploading malware or attempting to hack the platform
- Scraping data or using bots without our written permission
9 Disputes between users
If something goes wrong between a student and a teacher, we encourage you to talk it out first. If that doesn't work, contact us and we'll try to help mediate.
- Report disputes within 30 days of the incident
- We may suspend involved accounts while we investigate
- Our decision after review is final within the platform
10 Our liability
Skill-Hive is a platform — we connect people, but we don't verify every credential or guarantee the outcome of every lesson. We do our best to maintain a safe and quality environment, but we can't be held liable for:
- The quality or accuracy of any lesson delivered by a teacher
- Losses arising from your use of the platform beyond our reasonable control
- Technical outages or third-party service failures
11 Termination
We can suspend or close your account if you breach these terms, harm other users, or expose us to legal risk. We'll usually warn you first unless the breach is serious. You can close your account yourself at any time from your settings page.
12 Changes to these terms
If we make significant changes, we'll email you and post a notice on the platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Carrying on using Skill-Hive after that means you accept the updated terms.
13 Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes that can't be resolved informally will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Questions about the Terms?
We're real people — just send us a message and we'll explain anything that's unclear.
Get in touchYour privacy matters to us — genuinely. This page explains what data we collect, why we collect it, and what you can do about it. We will never sell your personal information. Ever.
1 What we collect and why
When you create an account:
- Your name and email address — to identify you and communicate with you
- A profile picture — so other users know who they're talking to (optional)
- Your role (learner or teacher) and the skills you're interested in
- For teachers: evidence of expertise such as certificates or a portfolio
- If you join Skill Swap: your date of birth, to check you're 18 or over (it isn't shown to other members), and a record of the time credits you earn and spend
- What you write in a lesson diary, shown only to the other person in that lesson (see the Terms, section 6c)
- Feedback you send us about Skill-Hive, so we can improve it and reply to you
- If you use the assistant while signed in: your messages to it and what it looked up for you are kept for 24 hours so it can follow the conversation, then deleted. It's sent to our AI provider to work out the answer. The assistant can only prepare actions; nothing is booked, cancelled or sent until you press the button
Automatically as you use the platform:
- Your IP address and general location (country/city) — for fraud prevention
- Pages you visit and features you use — to understand what's working and what isn't
- Device type and browser — to make sure the site displays properly for you
- Cookies — see the Cookie Policy tab for full details
2 How we use your data
- To run and improve the platform — matching learners with teachers, processing bookings
- To send you messages you've asked for — booking confirmations, session reminders, newsletters if you subscribed
- To verify teacher credentials and keep the community safe
- To detect fraud and protect everyone's accounts
- To understand usage patterns and make Skill-Hive better
- To meet our legal obligations
We only use your data for the purposes listed above. We never sell it to third parties or data brokers.
3 Who we share it with
Other users — Teachers see your name and profile when you book them. Students see teacher profiles and reviews. We never share your email or phone number with other users.
Service providers — A small number of trusted companies help us run the platform (hosting, email delivery, analytics). They only process data on our instructions and are bound by confidentiality agreements.
Authorities — Only if required by law or to prevent serious harm.
4 How we keep it safe
- Passwords are hashed — we can't see them even if we wanted to
- All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
- Database access is restricted to authorised team members only
- We conduct regular security reviews
- We have an incident response plan if something goes wrong
No system is 100% secure. If we ever discover a breach that affects you, we'll notify you within 72 hours.
5 How long we keep your data
We keep your data for as long as you have an account, plus a short period afterwards to handle any outstanding queries or legal obligations. When you delete your account, your personal information is permanently deleted within 90 days. Some anonymised aggregate data (e.g. total session counts) may be kept for analytics — this cannot be traced back to you.
6 Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access — ask us for a copy of all personal data we hold about you
- Correction — ask us to fix inaccurate or incomplete data
- Deletion — ask us to delete your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Portability — receive your data in a machine-readable format
- Object — object to certain types of processing (e.g. direct marketing)
- Withdraw consent — at any time, for anything you've consented to
7 Children's privacy
Skill-Hive is not designed for children under 13. We don't knowingly collect data from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has registered, please contact us and we'll remove the account promptly.
8 Changes to this policy
If we make material changes, we'll send you an email notice at least 14 days before the changes take effect. The "last updated" date at the top of this page always reflects the current version.
Privacy questions?
We take these seriously. Send us a message and a real person will respond.
Contact usCookies are small files stored in your browser that help websites remember things. We use them to keep the site working properly and to understand how people use it. Here's exactly what we use and why.
1 Strictly necessary cookies
These are the ones that keep the site working. You can't turn them off because without them, things like logging in and keeping your session active simply won't work.
- Session cookie — keeps you logged in as you move between pages. Expires when you close your browser.
- CSRF token — protects against cross-site request forgery attacks. Necessary for security.
- skillhive_consent — remembers your cookie preference so we don't keep asking. Lasts 12 months.
2 Analytics cookies
These help us understand how people use Skill-Hive — which pages are popular, where people get stuck, and how we can improve. All data is anonymous. We never see who you are as an individual.
- Which pages you visit and how long you spend on them
- Where you came from (search engine, social media, direct)
- What device and browser you're using
- Whether you're a new or returning visitor
3 Personalisation cookies
These let us show you content that's relevant to you — teachers in skills you've shown interest in, courses that match your level, and so on. Without them, suggestions will be more generic.
4 Managing your preferences
You're in control. You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the button below or using the cookie banner that appears on the site.
You can also manage cookies through your browser settings — most browsers let you block or delete cookies. Note that blocking strictly necessary cookies will break parts of the site.
5 Third-party cookies
Some features on Skill-Hive may load content from third-party services (such as video players or maps). These services may set their own cookies. We don't control those cookies — please check the relevant provider's privacy policy for details.
Cookie questions?
If you're not sure about something, just ask. We'll give you a straight answer.
Contact usTeachers are the heart of Skill-Hive. These guidelines exist to protect you, your students, and the reputation of the community you're part of. They're practical, not bureaucratic.
1 Getting verified
Before you can take paid bookings, we ask you to go through a quick verification. This protects students and helps you stand out as a trustworthy teacher.
- A government-issued photo ID (passport, driving licence, national ID card)
- Evidence of your expertise — certificates, a degree, a portfolio, or professional work samples
- A short profile bio explaining your background and teaching style
- A profile photo — real, recent, and just of you
2 Representing yourself honestly
Only teach subjects you're genuinely competent in. Overstating your qualifications or experience is a breach of these guidelines and will lead to account suspension.
- Don't claim qualifications you don't hold
- Don't teach subjects outside your verified skill areas without updating your profile
- Keep your profile up to date — if your situation changes, let us know
3 Running great sessions
Students book you because they trust you'll deliver. Here's how to hold up your end:
- Start on time — students have planned around your session
- Come prepared with a clear plan for each session, especially the first one
- Adapt to the student's level — don't just deliver a one-size-fits-all script
- If you need to cancel, give as much notice as possible — at least 24 hours where you can
- Communicate proactively if you're running late or something comes up
5 Professional conduct
Skill-Hive is a professional environment. That means:
- Treat every student with respect, regardless of their level or background
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
- Don't contact students through channels other than the platform for business purposes
- Don't solicit reviews — let students decide if and when to leave one
- Don't retaliate against students who leave negative reviews
6 Your content and materials
- Only share materials you own the rights to, or that are freely and legally licensed for your use
- Don't share copyrighted textbooks, course materials, or software without a valid licence
- You retain ownership of everything you create — we just display it on the platform
7 Keeping your rating healthy
Your rating directly affects how many bookings you get. The best way to maintain it is straightforward: show up, be prepared, and actually help your students. Beyond that:
- Respond to booking requests within 24 hours
- If you're going through a difficult period and can't take bookings, pause your profile rather than letting students down
- If a student raises a concern, engage with it professionally — our team can help mediate
8 What happens if something goes wrong
If a student raises a dispute, we'll contact you to hear your side before making any decision. We try to be fair to both parties. Where possible, we'll aim for a resolution that works for everyone.
If you're found to have seriously breached these guidelines, we may suspend or permanently remove your account. For less serious issues, we'll usually give you a warning and a chance to correct course first.
Questions about teaching on Skill-Hive?
We want you to succeed. If you're unsure about anything, just reach out.
Talk to usThis policy sets out what you can expect from Skill-Hive as a learner, and what we expect from you in return.
1 Getting started
Once you've created an account you can browse teachers, view their skills and availability, and request or book sessions. To get the most from Skill-Hive:
- Complete your profile — teachers accept bookings faster when they know a little about you and your goals
- Be clear in your booking message about what you want to learn and your current level
- Check a teacher's availability before reaching out — it saves everyone time
2 Booking sessions
When you send a session request, the teacher has up to 24 hours to accept or decline. A booking is confirmed only once the teacher accepts.
- Don't send duplicate booking requests to multiple teachers for the same slot
- Make sure your availability is accurate when you book — teachers block out time for you
- You'll receive a confirmation notification as soon as the teacher accepts
3 During sessions
Live sessions are a shared space. To make them work:
- Join on time — your session time starts when it starts, not when you arrive
- Come prepared with any questions or materials mentioned in advance
- Treat your teacher with the same respect you'd expect from them
- Don't record sessions without the teacher's explicit consent
- Keep background noise and distractions to a minimum where possible
4 Conduct and respect
Skill-Hive is built on trust between learners and teachers. The following behaviour will result in account suspension without warning:
- Harassment, abuse, or discriminatory language directed at a teacher
- Attempting to take sessions off-platform to avoid our system
- Creating fake accounts or impersonating another person
- Sharing session content or teacher materials without permission
- Leaving dishonest reviews intended to harm a teacher's reputation
5 Reviews and feedback
After each completed session you'll be invited to leave a rating and review. Honest feedback helps other learners find the right teacher and helps teachers improve.
- Reviews should reflect your genuine experience — don't inflate or deflate a rating unfairly
- Stick to the session itself — personal attacks are not reviews
- You can only review a session once, and you can't review a session that didn't happen
6 Your account and data
- Keep your login credentials private — you're responsible for activity on your account
- If you think your account has been compromised, contact us immediately
- You can request deletion of your account and personal data at any time — see our Privacy Policy for details
- Deleting your account removes your profile but session history may be retained for legal and dispute-resolution purposes
7 When things go wrong
If a teacher doesn't show up, ends a session significantly early, or behaves unprofessionally, you can raise a dispute from your session page. We'll investigate and get back to you within 2 working days.
- Disputes must be raised within 7 days of the session
- We may ask both parties for their account of events before reaching a decision
- Where a session clearly wasn't delivered, we'll work to make it right
8 Keeping your progress safe
Your learning history, session notes, and skill progress are stored on your account. A few things worth knowing:
- Back up any important notes or materials you receive outside the platform
- If a teacher's account is removed, your booking history is preserved but future sessions with them won't be possible
- We don't guarantee uninterrupted access to the platform — check our status page if something seems down
Questions about learning on Skill-Hive?
We're here to help you get the most out of every session.
Get in touch