Substitute teacher accused of putting special needs child in headlock at WA primary school

A relief teacher at a Western Australia primary school is under investigation after being accused of assaulting and abusing students.

An 11-year-old Year Five student at Butler Primary School north of Perth told 9News she saw one of her friends "put into a headlock".

"One of the children in our class said that he felt quite unsafe, and the teacher yelled at him," she said.

The mother of a child with special needs claimed the boy was put in a headlock until he surrendered his special fidget toy.

The male substitute teacher is also accused of refusing drink and toilet breaks and demanding persuasive essays as justification.

It's alleged some students wet their pants and two were locked out of class when they escaped to the toilet.

Parents claim even though another teacher took over the class after lunch, the relief teacher was allowed to remain in the room.

They say the first they heard of the alleged incidents was from their children after school.

The substitute teacher is now banned from practicing while a police investigation is underway.

"That type of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable," Department of Education director general Lisa Rogers said.

"It is a disciplinary investigation and we've also referred the matter to WA Police."