A Melbourne high school teacher has been jailed for three years for having a sexual relationship with a female student.

But controversy has erupted in the County Court this morning after the sentencing judge proposed to delay the start of the female teacher's sentence in case of an appeal.

Judge Michael McInerney this morning jailed the woman, 29, who can only be referred to as STC, for three years and ordered that she immediately serve eight months of that sentence with 28 months suspended.

STC pleaded guilty to committing an indecent act with a child aged 16 and four counts of sexual penetration of a child aged 16 under her care, supervision or authority.

In sentencing, Judge McInerney said the offences occurred between November 2010 and January 2011. He said that STC and the girl had had “an intense relationship” since at least March 2010.