TEN Bradford parents have been fined hundreds of pounds each for failing to ensure their children attended school regularly.

Those – all of whom cannot be named to protect the identities of their children – appeared in court earlier this month on charges brought by Bradford Council.

In each case, it was proven that the defendants were parents of a child of compulsory school age registered at a school who failed to attend regularly. This is contrary to section 444(1) and (8) of the Education Act 1996.

A mother, living in the northwest of the city, failed to comply with the requirements of a school attendance order, under section 437 of the Education Act 1996, served on April 27.

Her three children did not go to school between that date and May 25.

She was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £66, for a total penalty of £876.

Seven parents have to pay a total of £634 (£440 fine, £150 court costs, £44 victim surcharge) for failing to take their child to school for a period of time.

The first of four women took her 13-year-old out of school from December 13 of last year to February 4.

The father of the child also had to pay the same amount for the offence.

It was proven another mother failed to ensure her nine-year-old attended school between the same dates.

The mother of a 16-year-old was also in court for the offence which took place between January 10 to February 18 in her case.

The final woman did not make sure her 15-year-old went to school from December 6 to January 28.

The father of a 12-year-old was also in court for the same offence committed during the same dates.

The last father failed to ensure both of his children attended school for five days from December 13-17.

Two other parents had to pay a £404 penalty (£220 fine, £150 court costs, £34 victim surcharge) for the offence.

The first father took his seven-year-old out of school from December 13 to February 4.

While the other failed to comply with the requirements of a school attendance order with his child.

This was made on April 27 and the child, of unknown age, stayed off school until May 25.

All ten parents appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on August 10.