eastsussex.gov.uk
Children’s Services
Standards & Learning Effectiveness Service
Governor Services
Associate members
Who are they?
The definition of associate members is far and wide and can include pupils, staff and people who
want to contribute on specific issues. For example, governing bodies may benefit from appointing
a person with financial skills to serve on the finance committee and offer advice and guidance on
matters relating to finance.
Associate members are not members of the governing body and are not included in the
Instrument of Government.
Associate members are appointed by the governing body to serve on a specific committee.
They are appointed for a period of one to four years and may resign at any time. They can be
reappointed when their term of office ends. Unlike school governors associate members
remain eligible for appointment if they are below the age of 18 but they are not allowed to vote
until they reach the age of 18.
Voting rights of associate members
Voting rights cannot be given to an associate member if they have not reached the age of 18.
The governing body can give associate members voting rights at committee level, but they
cannot be allowed to vote on the following issues:Decisions concerning admissions;
Pupil discipline;
Election or appointment of governors;
Budget and financial commitments of the governing body.
What can an associate member do at full governing body
meetings?
Associate members may contribute to discussions at meetings of the full governing body. However,
associate members cannot take part in votes of the full governing body. This is outlined in
legislation and applies because associate members are not governors and votes are carried out by
members of the governing body.
Governor Services
Governor Services treats associate members in the same way as it treats other governors. Associate
members are eligible to receive literature including the training programme and are also eligible to
attend governor training [subject to the service level agreement that the school buys into].
East Sussex Governor Service
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