A Stafford mum who failed to ensure her two daughters attended school regularly has been ordered to pay almost £300.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that the younger girl had a 73% attendance rate at primary school, while her older sister's secondary school attendance dropped to just 31% during spring last year.

The Highfields mum, who is not being named to protect the identities of her children was convicted at a previous hearing of failing to ensure the older girl attended school regularly between 28 February and 8 May 2025 and the younger girl attended school regularly between 20 March and 17 June 2025.

On Monday (13 July) she was given a 12-month community order by magistrates, fined £60 and also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

Lucy Daniels, prosecuting on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, told the court the older girl had been absent from school on 54 occasions during the period, while her younger sister had been absent 25 times during the periods covered by the charges.

Just five of the younger girl's absences were authorised, while all of her older sister's absences were unauthorised.

She added that "reasonable adjustments" had been made for the younger girl, including offering breakfast and after school club places and school drop off and pick ups.

During an interview the mum said that attendance issues on Mondays were due to the girl staying at her father's home at weekends, and she also suffered from digestive issues.

Ms Daniels said: "Since Easter there does appear to have been improvement in her attendance, although there are still some unauthorised absences."

David Ellis, defending, told the court on Monday that there had been a "significant difference" in the younger girl's attendance in more recent months "to the credit of everyone".

He added that the older girl has now left education.

Speaking at an earlier hearing in April, he said the girls' parents had split up about four years ago and their father lived outside of Staffordshire.

"The two girls live with her but regularly see their father at weekends", he added.

"I have heard reference to him not making sure the children are back in time to go to school on Monday morning.

This lady is in receipt of Universal Credit and she cannot afford to travel to collect them to make sure they are in school on a Monday.

"Added into this, (the older girl) is a strong-willed child and despite this lady's best efforts to take control, persuade and cajole (her) to attend school, she doesn't.

"(She) has occasionally assaulted (her mum) and she doesn't push back.

"(The mum) is very keen to try and ensure the daughters have an education.

"(The older girl) wants to do art at college but it doesn't bode well not going to school if she wants to get education at a higher level – she doesn't take what (her mum) tells her on board."