It's half term, but schools across Bradford are by no means deserted. Among the many staff whose work carries on throughout the holidays, business managers have more than enough to keep them busy.

A relatively new role in the history of education - 15 years ago the post was virtually unknown in the state sector - school business managers are now an integral part of school leadership teams. As the senior financial and administrative managers of the institution, they manage budgets which can extend to multi-millions.

Andy Meehan took over as business manager at Lister Primary School in Scotchman Road, Bradford, five years ago. A former banker, he had not considered working in the education sector until he took part in a series of Dragon's Den-style events at local schools. "Having linked up with a few schools I saw the business role from close quarters and was interested in it."

He adds: " As schools have grown and budgets have grown, local authorities passed the management of non-educational activities back to schools and empowered them to manage them themselves. Head teachers do an excellent job from an educational perspective and there is a need for someone to concentrate on those activities."

His roles at the school - which has 90 staff and 460-pupils whose children range from three in its nursery, to 11 years old - include managing finance and human resources, planning and managing projects. "Projects could be something like developing school premises - the main building or playground," he explains.

"Budgets are very complex and schools are really businesses in that they have a lot of staff and expenditure that needs managing accurately. There is a definite need for skilled people to take the pressure off head teachers, who are driving progress and attainment for children."

Bradford was one of the first local authorities to appoint school business managers and many schools now have them. Andy loves his role. "It is fantastic. You can see an immediate impact in your work in the effect it has on the pupils - it may be the restoration of a classroom or a kitchen."

Last summer Lister Primary renovated its kitchen and reception class, both of which have been well received with everyone. "There are lots of projects going on, so my role is quite varied," he says. "If I manage to save money on contracts it can be reinvested in children's resources. Every school budget is different depending upon the size of the school and the children."

Meetings in BradfordCouncil premises allow school, business managers to meet and discuss issues surrounding their work. "It is a good support network," says Andy, "And there is a good e-mail forum too, where we can share ideas and best practice. That has been running for a number of years."

Julie Birkett joined Tong High School a quarter of a century ago, at which time she was known as bursar, a title which changed over the years to business manager. She describes the role as "about bringing professionalism to everything that is not directly to do with teaching and planning to ensure the other members of the leadership team can focus on that."

The 1598-pupil school, in Westgate Hill Street, Bradford, employs around 260 people and has an annual budget of around £12million. "We have to have the systems in place to make sure we maximise that investment," she says.

"The vast majority of schools in Bradford have business managers," says Julie. "The city had them very early on - it was pioneering in that sense."

Julie played a major role in the building of a new school which opened in 2008. "It was vital to ensure that the education of students did not suffer while that was going on," she says.

Her responsibilities include income generation, human resources and health and safety.

The school's facilities are used by outside groups, bringing in money for the school. "They are open for sports use up to 10pm and all day Saturday," says Julie. "We also do a lot of work in primary schools delivering sport and arts, so they can access our expertise - we have more specialist staff."

Hiring of facilities is managed by Bradford Council, on behalf of the school.

"The role has changed dramatically over the years," says Julie, "It never stands still so I am always taking on new skills."

She was among a number of staff who mentored pupils on the Micro-Tyco enterprise challenge, in which students raise money from a £1 start, with the processed being invested in third world projects. In February last year Tong High School won the schools category of the challenge.

Julie is currently working on next year's budget. "It does not come from one place - the majority comes from the local authority, while the sixth form budget comes from the Government's Education Funding Agency. We also get Government grants such as the pupil premium."

Like Andy, she thoroughly enjoys her job. "It is a constant challenge and an opportunity to really make a difference."