Court: More than 30 parents in Halifax and rest of Calderdale fined - including a couple who must pay over £4,500 - for not making their kids go to school

One day at Bradford Magistrates Court earlier this month saw more than 30 cases of parents from Halifax and other parts of the borough charged because their kids were not attending school regularly.

With costs and victim surcharges, the total they must each pay ranges from £206 to more than £700, with most slapped with a hefty bill of around £400.

But there were two parents who must each pay £766 for each of their three children – costing them a whopping £4,596.

Councils and schools can use legal powers if a child is missing school without good reason, including fines.

Each parent can be fined £60, rising to £120 each if they do not pay within 21 days and a possible prosecution after 28 days.

Courts have the power to issue fines of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence up to three months.