List of active policies

Full policy

1. Overview

Welcome to the Silvestor e-learning platform. By accessing or using this site, you agree to comply with this Site Policy, our Privacy Policy
 and Cookie Policy
.
These policies explain how we protect your personal information and outline your responsibilities as a user.

2. Purpose

This platform provides access to online courses, training, and resources offered by Silvestor and our partners. It is intended for registered learners, staff, and authorised users only.

3. Acceptable Use

Users must:

• Use their account responsibly and keep login details confidential
• Only upload, share, or post content that is lawful and appropriate
• Not use the platform to harass, threaten, or defame others
• Not attempt to disrupt, hack, or misuse the system
• Breach of these terms may result in suspension or permanent removal of access.

4. Intellectual Property

All content within the platform (including text, graphics, videos, and course materials) is owned or licensed by Silvestor or its partners and may not be copied, redistributed, or used outside the platform without written permission.

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Silvestor collects and processes personal information in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Details of how your data is used are set out in our Privacy Policy.

6. Cookies

The platform uses essential cookies required for site operation. Further information is available in our Cookie Policy.

7. Disclaimer

Silvestor aims to ensure all materials are accurate and up-to-date but makes no guarantees as to completeness or suitability. Use of the platform is at your own risk.

8. Contact

For any concerns or to exercise your data rights, please contact:
Email: icf@charteredforesters.org
Address: Argyle House, 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DR

Full policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer or device when you visit a website. They help us make the site work properly, enhance your experience, and collect information about how the site is used.

Some cookies are essential for the site to function, while others are optional and used for analytics or personalisation.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Keep you logged in and maintain your session
• Remember your preferences (e.g. username)
• Analyse how the site is used so we can improve performance and content

3. Types of Cookies We Use

A. Essential Cookies

These cookies are required for the platform to function properly.

MoodleSession    
Maintains your login session as you navigate between pages.    
Session (deleted when you close your browser)    
Required: Yes

MOODLEID    
Remembers your username for convenience next time you log in.    
Persistent (remains in browser until deleted)    
Required: No

Disabling essential cookies will prevent you from logging in or using the platform.

B. Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics)

We use Google Analytics to collect anonymous information about how visitors use the platform — such as which pages are visited most, how long users stay, and how they arrived at the site.

These cookies help us understand usage patterns and improve our service.

_ga    Google Analytics    
Distinguishes unique users by assigning a random ID.      
Required: No

_gid    Google Analytics    
Tracks user behaviour and session information.    
Required: No

_gat    Google Analytics    
Limits the number of requests sent to Google.   
Required: No

Analytics data is collected and processed in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy.

We have configured Google Analytics to:

• Anonymise IP addresses before storage or processing
• Disable data sharing with other Google services
• Not use advertising or remarketing features

4. Managing and Withdrawing Consent

When you first visit this site, you’ll be asked to accept or reject non-essential cookies.
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by:

• Adjusting your browser cookie settings
• Clearing existing cookies from your browser
• Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Rejecting non-essential cookies will not affect your access to courses or essential platform functions.

5. Third-Party Cookies

No third-party advertising or social media tracking cookies are used on this site.

6. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements. The most recent version will always be available at https://silvestor.org.uk.

7. Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact:
Email: icf@charteredforesters.org
Address: Argyle House, 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DR

Full policy

1. Data Controller

Silvestor
icf@charteredforesters.org
https://silvestor.org.uk
Argyle House, 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DR

2. Personal Information We Collect

When you use our e-learning platform, we may collect and process the following types of personal information:

• Identity data: Name, username, and user ID
• Contact data: Email address or other contact details
• Technical data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device information
• Profile data: Course enrolments, grades, certificates, and progress
• Usage data: Information about how you interact with the platform
• Marketing data: Preferences and communication choices

3. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect your information through:

• Direct interactions (e.g. account registration, participation in courses)
• Our CRM or public sector partners providing training access
• Technical systems and cookies (see our Cookie Policy)
• Website analytics tools such as Google Analytics

4. Purpose for Processing

We process your personal information to:

• Register and manage your user account
• Deliver and support online courses and assessments
• Monitor platform usage to maintain performance and improve the service
• Ensure system security and prevent unauthorised access
• Provide technical support and communicate updates
• Comply with legal or regulatory obligations

Additionally, we use Google Analytics to collect aggregated, anonymous data about site usage (e.g. number of visitors, most-used pages, time spent on courses). This helps us understand how the platform is used and make improvements.

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

We rely on the following lawful bases for processing your data:

• Consent: When you register for an account or agree to non-essential cookies
• Legitimate interests: To maintain a secure, reliable, and effective learning environment
• Legal obligation: When processing is required to comply with the law

You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us or adjusting your cookie preferences.

6. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics (provided by Google LLC) to gather anonymised usage data to help us understand how users interact with our e-learning platform.

To protect your privacy:

• IP addresses are anonymised before processing
• No personal identifiers (name, email, Moodle ID) are sent to Google
• We do not use advertising or remarketing features
• Data sharing with other Google services is disabled

You can opt out of Google Analytics by:

• Rejecting analytics cookies via our cookie banner, or
• Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Analytics data is processed in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy

7. Consequences of Not Providing Data

If you do not provide your personal information, you will not be able to register for or use the e-learning platform or its features.

8. How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain personal information for as long as your account remains active or until you request deletion. Backup data may be retained temporarily for disaster recovery purposes.

9. Data Sharing

Your data may be shared only with:

• Our hosting providers or technical support contractors (acting as data processors)
• Authorised training or public sector partners when necessary for course delivery

We do not sell or share your personal data for marketing or advertising.

All third parties are contractually required to comply with data protection laws and use your information only for the purpose we specify.

10. International Transfers

Where we use service providers outside the UK (e.g. Google), data may be transferred under appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Addendum or standard contractual clauses.

11. Your Rights

You have the following rights under the UK GDPR:

• Access – request a copy of your data
• Rectification – request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure – request deletion of your personal information
• Restriction – request limited processing in certain cases
• Portability – request transfer of your data to another provider
• Objection – object to certain types of processing
• Withdraw consent – at any time, where consent was the lawful basis

To exercise your rights, please contact:
icf@charteredforesters.org

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how your data has been handled:
https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

12. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including encryption, access controls, and regular security monitoring.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The most recent version will always be available on https://silvestor.org.uk.