Start with the task your school needs to complete
A moderation log connects an action to a reason and an accountable owner. It helps the next staff member understand why a comment was hidden, removed, answered or escalated. Keep it separate from the school’s student records and safeguarding case systems: link to an approved case reference when necessary.
For US schools and districts: confirm the applicable district, state and school policies. This worksheet does not set a legal retention period.
A school example
Example: a parent raises a concern under a school transport announcement. The communications officer acknowledges the question and refers it to the office. Another comment publishes a child’s personal information. These are different decisions: the first needs a response owner; the second needs prompt handling under the school’s privacy and incident process. A useful log records that distinction without repeating the child’s details.
Illustrative scenario; no real student or school information.
Work through the checklist
1. Identify the conversation
Record the official account, post reference and time zone. Use a restricted record location for evidence rather than adding sensitive screenshots to a widely shared spreadsheet.
2. Choose the right response route
Separate an ordinary question from a complaint, a privacy issue or a safety concern. Follow the school’s escalation policy. A public reply should not invite a family to disclose private information in comments.
3. Record the decision and reason
Choose a clear action such as replied, hidden, removed or escalated. Record the policy reference and responsible role. Avoid subjective descriptions of the person who posted.
4. Handle evidence safely
Follow the school’s incident and records procedures for preserving relevant context. Do not delay an urgent safety action to finish the log. For potentially illegal or explicit material, use the designated reporting process; do not download or circulate copies as part of this worksheet.
5. Assign follow-up
Give unresolved issues an owner, due date and restricted case reference. Record whether the school is waiting for a response. A moderation action is not proof that the underlying complaint is resolved.
6. Review recurring questions
Review themes without identifying individuals in general reports. Repeated transport or event questions may indicate unclear communications. Test whether a clearer announcement reduces follow-up, rather than interpreting all comments as negative sentiment.
Use the editable template
Open the CSV in Excel or your approved spreadsheet app. Start with one account or one example, assign an owner and record any gaps. Save completed copies in a school-approved location with appropriate access.
Operational decision log only. Do not copy student details or harmful material into it. Nothing you enter is sent to Brolly.
What the template covers
- Account URL
- Post reference
- Observed date and time zone
- Issue category
- Action taken
- Decision reason or policy reference
- Evidence location restricted
- Responsible role
- Case reference restricted
- Follow-up due
- Status
Common questions
Should every negative comment be removed?
Use the school’s published moderation rules. Criticism and a policy breach are not the same thing. Record the reason for the action taken.
Can we put student details in this template?
Keep sensitive information in the approved restricted system. Use a reference in the log and give access only to the people who need it.
Can an archive make moderation decisions for us?
An archive can support record retrieval where the content is captured. Staff still need to apply the school’s policies and review the context.
Try the workflow with your school’s accounts
Bring an example of the records your team needs to find. We can walk through supported account coverage, search and export with you, and identify what needs checking before you choose an archive.
Book a school records walkthroughRelated school resources
Sources and review scope
Reviewed 16 October 2026. The workflow and blank template are Brolly editorial resources. Check the linked platform guidance and your school’s current policies before acting.