Hi,
I have used a very simple, easily readable XHTML & CSS (embedded)
template for a number of years when teaching web design. The layout
covers all of the basic areas - header, top nav, left column, right
column and footer. To remove these areas they simple comment out the
<div> tags. It is released under the Creative Commons license so
students can modify and use it commercially. In fact I encourage
students to change the CSS to an external style sheet to make their
sites consistent.
http://www.bathurst-tafe.nsw.edu.au/~steve/css_demo.htm
Hope you find this simple page a useful starting point for students.
Steve