A male teacher has been arrested and charged over the alleged indecent assault of four girls aged between 11 and 12 at a school on Sydney's lower north shore.

Key points: Mowbray Public School teacher arrested for allegedly indecently assaulting young students

Mowbray Public School teacher arrested for allegedly indecently assaulting young students Simon Phillips was described as parents as a "fantastic teacher"

Simon Phillips was described as parents as a "fantastic teacher" Girls allege he touched them on their buttocks

Simon Phillips, who had been teaching at Mowbray Public School, was arrested at a home in Russell Lea on Wednesday morning.

The 51-year-old father was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with 13 counts of aggravated indecent assault, alleged to have occurred while he was the girls' classroom teacher.

Court documents show he is alleged to have kissed one girl on the forehead as well as touched her breast and her buttocks.

He is also accused of touching her on the back with his penis.

Three other girls allege he also touched them on their buttocks.

Phillips has a long history as an educator, including at the prestigious Scots College and St Joseph's College in Sydney.

He has also taught at Marie Bashir Public School, Harcourt Public School and St Andrew's Cathedral School.

On his LinkedIn profile, Phillips talks of his objective to make education accessible and engaging for all students.

"My central belief is that every individual is a diamond in the rough and by providing them with the appropriate tools and experience invariably this diamond will shine through. Once shining, this diamond lights the path ahead."

'He was a fantastic teacher'

Parents at Mowbray Public School expressed surprise and shock at the news of Phillips' arrest.

One mother told the ABC he was a great teacher.

"I am just in shock, total shock, I thought he was a fantastic teacher," she said.

"He was my son's teacher, we were actually hoping to get him next year."

Another parent found out about the arrest as he was picking up his daughter after school.

"That's bad for the school and the children … I just learned now, I'm shocked," he said.

Police seized a number of items under a search warrant at Mr Phillips' home on Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education said he was no longer employed by them.