A female teacher at the elite Sydney Grammar school was suspended as soon as the school knew about allegations of her having sex with a 17-year-old male pupil, the headmaster says.

The teacher at the Darlinghurst school allegedly kissed the boy while he was under her care and had sex with him twice in Newtown between January and February this year.

She is also accused of having sex with him four times in Darlinghurst between January and March.

Her case was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, when a lawyer acting for several media companies argued against the need for an order preventing the publication of the teacher’s name.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said naming the teacher risked revealing the identity of the underage schoolboy, whose identity is protected by law.

But publishing the name of the school was of interest to those studying there and may encourage any other victims to come forward, she said.

Following the court appearance Sydney Grammar’s headmaster John Vallance released a statement saying the school had suspended the teacher and parents had been notified.

“As soon as the school became aware of the allegations, the employee concerned was suspended and forbidden to have any contact with pupils pending the outcome of the matter,” Mr Vallance said.

The school’s alumni spans from current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, to the very first, Sir Edmund Barton, and also includes Banjo Patterson.

The woman, who was arrested on October 14, is charged with seven offences, six counts of having sex with someone under her care between 17 and 18 years and one of indecent assault.

The teacher, who has been granted bail, was not present in court on Tuesday.

-AAP