Trust, Integrity, and the Data That Powers Starlight

They say data is the new oil. At STAR21, we believe it’s even more valuable than that—because it doesn’t just fuel a system. It reflects people. Conversations. Classrooms. Thought.

That’s why we treat data with the utmost care.

From the very beginning, Starlight was built with privacy, protection, and professional trust at its core. Every lesson upload, every insight, every byte of data is handled with respect—because we know what’s at stake.

What We Protect—and Why

When teachers upload to Starlight, they’re sharing something deeply human. A lesson isn’t just audio—it’s tone, intention, and relationship. It’s one of the most personal things a teacher can offer.

So we protect it with the seriousness it deserves:

• End-to-end encryption for all data, both in transit and at rest

• Fully GDPR compliant, with strict internal controls and regular reviews

• Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

• The STAR21 team are all DBS-checked, given our work with schools and access to educational data

Infrastructure That Earns Trust

Our platform is developed by experienced, professional engineers who understand the unique responsibility of building software for schools. We don’t cut corners.

We invest in:

• Secure, resilient infrastructure built for scale and reliability

• Top-tier server partners that operate on 100% green energy

• Regular security audits and infrastructure monitoring

We believe protecting data means investing in excellence—technical, ethical, and operational.

Putting Teachers in Control

Just as important as technical protection is user empowerment. Starlight gives teachers full control:

• You choose what to upload

• You can delete any lesson, any time

• No one else can access your feedback unless you choose to share it

This isn’t surveillance. It’s self-reflection—on your terms.

Our Commitment

We’re building something we want educators to trust—not just in what it does, but in how it works. That’s why:

• We don’t sell identifiable data to third parties

• We design for privacy-first, insight-always

• We work with schools transparently, and with clear agreements

At STAR21, we’re not just building a platform—we’re building trust. Every click, every upload, every report is part of that commitment.

Because when it comes to data, respect isn’t optional. It’s foundational.

The Insight Engine is written by Adam Sturdee, co-founder of Starlight—the UK’s first AI-powered coaching platform—and Assistant Headteacher at St Augustine’s Catholic College. This blog is part of a wider mission to support educators through meaningful reflection, not performance metrics. It documents the journey of building Starlight from the ground up, and explores how AI, when shaped with care, can reduce workload, surface insight, and help teachers think more deeply about their practice. Rooted in the belief that growth should be private, professional, and purposeful, The Insight Engine offers ideas and stories that put insight—not judgment—at the centre of development.