St Francis’ Primary School, Aghaderg opened in September 1995 in a new purpose built building. The school is situated in the village of Loughbrickland and serves the Parish of Aghaderg, which is a predominately rural area south of Banbridge. The building consists of four classrooms, a Resource Area, a multi-purpose hall and associated rooms. A high quality mobile classroom was added in 1998. Additional office and special needs accommodation, storage and car parking were added in 2006. In February 2009 a second mobile classroom was added. After years of campaigning, a third mobile classroom was completed in August 2014. The school is well maintained and resourced withinteractive whiteboards in each classroom.

The school opened with five teachers, however the staffing compliment is now 7.6 teachers including the Principal and eight ancillary staff. There are currently 165 Primary 1 to Primary 7 children in the school. As there is a funded playgroup in Loughbrickland, the school has had no provision for pre-school children since June 2004. The parents realise the importance of a good primary education and are actively involved in their children’s education. There is also an active Parent Teacher Association. The school is held in high esteem within the local community and has developed close links with Aghaderg GAC and Ballyvarley Hurling Club. A strong Catholic ethos permeates the whole school. In 2009 a Global Schools link was established with Goleha Government Primary School in Panchagarh, Bangladesh and through the Dissolving Boundaries initiative a link was established with Presentation National School in Mullingar in 2013 . The Board of Governors of St Francis’ Primary School have worked closely with the Principal to develop a school in which each child will feel valued, will realise his/her own potential and grow in the Catholic faith.The school was last inspected in May 2008 and received a glowing report. As well as the Revised Curriculum, the school offers a range of extra curricular activities including Gaelic games, Irish Dancing, netball, French and Spanish lessons, brass and traditional Irish music and drama.