Teacher 'tied 5-yr-old to chair'

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A West Australian teacher who allegedly tied a five-year-old boy to a chair to punish him for misbehaving has been stood aside while the case is investigated.

The female teacher at Avonvale Primary School in Northam, about 100km northeast of Perth, allegedly tied the boy to a chair in front of his classmates on Tuesday last week.

The incident was reported by a teacher's assistant and a complaint made to police who referred the matter back to the Education Department for investigation.

The department's acting executive director of Professional Standards and Conduct, Eamon Ryan, confirmed that the experienced teacher had been stood aside while the department's Standards and Integrity Unit investigates.

"On receiving the allegation, the department took immediate steps to ensure the teacher would not have contact with students while the matter is being investigated," he said in a statement.

Mr Ryan said it would not be appropriate to jump to conclusions but such allegations were very concerning.

"Teachers are in a special position of trust and we expect them to act responsibly and in the best interests of children at all times."

In November last year a part-time teacher in the WA Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie was reported for covering the mouths of nine Year One children with sticky tape because they would not stop talking.

She was disciplined for misconduct.

- AAP