Is Novastart safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates Novastart Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may leave the UK/EU; safeguards stated but no school DPA found; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated) and Amber for pupil use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may leave the UK/EU; safeguards stated but no school DPA found; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated; Minimum age 16+ (not directed at children under 16): not for younger pupils; check consent). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-11-01. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does Novastart train on our data?

Not stated. We could not find a published statement from the supplier on whether Novastart trains its AI on what users type.

Where is Novastart data stored?

canvas contents stay on the user's own machine and shared canvases stream peer to peer; AI agent screenshots and instructions are sent to OpenAI; other personal data may be processed in the US under safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

What age is Novastart for?

16+ (not directed at children under 16).

Is there a safer alternative to Novastart?

Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: ChatGPT Edu (amber), Gemini app (Workspace for Education) (amber), Microsoft 365 Copilot (amber).

Novastart

Marketplace Distributors LLC (Manhattan Beach, California, US) · AI agent / assistant · Last checked 2026-11-01

For teachers

Novastart could save around 10–20 minutes on a first draft of an email or a short explanation, which you still rewrite in your own words. You still check it before a pupil or a colleague relies on it.

Illustration, not a measured result. The minutes are a typical classroom estimate based on what this tool is for. They are not a guarantee, not data from a school, and not part of the red, amber or green rating.

One-page summary (print or PDF)DPIA starter Compare with other tools Add to our tools list Get rating-change alerts

Rating: a rules-based summary of the supplier’s published terms. Not legal advice and not a substitute for a DPIA. How it’s worked out

Staff and pupils: AMBER Use with caution

Why amber:

Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type
Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller
Data may leave the UK/EU; safeguards stated but no school DPA found
No school DPA found
3 of 6 key fields not stated

How is this rated?

Key facts

Trains on what you type: Not stated
Where data is stored: US
Minimum age: 13–17
Use case: General AI assistant / chatbot
Sector: Higher education (HE)
Research status: Partial

Safer alternatives

Same main use (General AI assistant / chatbot) and sector, rated better for the same audience. Alternatives are suggested from our published ratings; check they meet your needs. How alternatives are chosen

Staff and pupils

ChatGPT Edu · Green
Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available
Gemini app (Workspace for Education) · Green
Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available
Microsoft 365 Copilot · Green
Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available

New here? Each field has a short explanation underneath. Our getting started guide explains what to look for and what to do next.

About the tool

SupplierThe company that makes and runs the tool.: Marketplace Distributors LLC (Manhattan Beach, California, US)
WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.: https://novastart.com (opens in a new tab)
CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.: AI agent / assistant
Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.: student- and teacher-facing; offered free to students and teachers at partner universities with a .edu email; site and software not directed at children under 16

Your data

Processor or controllerA processor only uses data on your school’s instructions. A controller makes its own decisions about the data, which means your school has less say.: not stated
Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.: canvas contents stay on the user's own machine and shared canvases stream peer to peer; AI agent screenshots and instructions are sent to OpenAI; other personal data may be processed in the US under safeguards such as standard contractual clauses
Trains AI models on inputsWhether what you type (or upload) may be used to improve the supplier’s AI. “No” is what you want for anything about pupils or staff.: not stated
How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.: AI agent run logs (steps, clicks, screenshots) kept on the user's machine; account and billing records kept while the account is open and as tax rules require; support correspondence kept for a reasonable period

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.: https://novastart.com/privacy/ (opens in a new tab)
Data processing agreement (DPA)The data processing agreement: the contract that sets out how the supplier must look after your school’s data.: not stated
Signs individual DPAs with schoolsWhether the supplier will sign a data agreement with your school specifically, rather than just standard online terms.: not stated
UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.: not stated (contact support@novastart.com)

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.: 16+ (not directed at children under 16)
Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.: replaces the computer desktop with an operating system; AI agents get their own mouse and keyboard and send screenshots of the window they work in to OpenAI; privacy policy allows analytics, advertising and retargeting cookies and email tracking pixels; no certification or audit claimed
Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.: partial (privacy policy effective 30 Sep 2026, security and education pages read 27 Oct 2026; no DPA, terms or AI training statement published)

Sources

novastart.comhttps://novastart.com/privacy/ (opens in a new tab)
novastart.comhttps://novastart.com/security/ (opens in a new tab)
novastart.comhttps://novastart.com/education/ (opens in a new tab)

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

See all recent changes

Quick answers

Is Novastart safe for UK schools?: AI Prefect rates Novastart Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may leave the UK/EU; safeguards stated but no school DPA found; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated) and Amber for pupil use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may leave the UK/EU; safeguards stated but no school DPA found; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated; Minimum age 16+ (not directed at children under 16): not for younger pupils; check consent). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-11-01. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.
Does Novastart train on our data?: Not stated. We could not find a published statement from the supplier on whether Novastart trains its AI on what users type.
Where is Novastart data stored?: canvas contents stay on the user's own machine and shared canvases stream peer to peer; AI agent screenshots and instructions are sent to OpenAI; other personal data may be processed in the US under safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.
What age is Novastart for?: 16+ (not directed at children under 16).
Is there a safer alternative to Novastart?: Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: ChatGPT Edu (amber), Gemini app (Workspace for Education) (amber), Microsoft 365 Copilot (amber).

Generated only from the recorded facts on this page, not from the “For teachers” illustration. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.

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